Longhorn Cowfish (Lactoria cornuta) Care Guide

An unmistakable fish with a bony box-like body and two horn-like projections from its forehead. Swims by sculling with its tiny fins in a uniquely comical hovering motion.

Overview

Lactoria cornuta is a species in the family Ostraciidae. An unmistakable fish with a bony box-like body and two horn-like projections from its forehead. Swims by sculling with its tiny fins in a uniquely comical hovering motion. Can release a toxic substance (ostracitoxin) when severely stressed, potentially killing all tankmates. Best kept in a species-specific or carefully managed FOWLR system.

Taxonomy

Family: Ostraciidae
Genus: Lactoria
Scientific name: Lactoria cornuta
Other names: Horned Boxfish
Origin: Indo-Pacific

Habitat

Lactoria cornuta is a boxfish of shallow Indo-Pacific reefs, lagoons and seagrass, named for the horn-like projections above its eyes. It blows jets of water at the sand to uncover invertebrates and, when stressed, can release a toxin (ostracitoxin) harmful to tankmates.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 400 L
Temperature: 24-27 °C
pH: 8.1-8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
KH: 8-12 dKH
Water flow: low
Adult size: 20-45 cm
Lifespan: 8-15 years
Difficulty: intermediate

Diet

Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2-3x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: peaceful
Position in tank: middle
Compatible tank mates: Peaceful Tangs, Peaceful Wrasses, Gobies
Avoid with: Aggressive Fish, Nippy Fish, Corals, Invertebrates

Reef compatibility

Generally classified as reef-safe with caution: may disturb other sessile invertebrates, sting neighbouring corals or prey on small ornamental shrimps, so placement and tankmates need consideration.

Breeding

Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
Breeding difficulty: advanced