Acanthostracion quadricornis

Acanthostracion quadricornis
Acanthostracion quadricornis-Scrawled Cowfish-FL
Photo Credit: Dan Marotta – Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
OstraciidaeAcanthostracion quadricornis(Linnaeus)1758Scrawled Cowfish

Acanthostracion quadricornis

Unique Characters: Prominent carapace spines projecting anteriorly from front of eyes and posteriorly from ventrolateral edges of carapace. Carapace complete around bases of soft dorsal and anal fins. Pectoral-fin rays (not including dorsal rudiment) usually 11, rarely 12. Body with dark spots or blotches and irregular wavy lines, with more or less horizontal and parallel lines on cheek.

Similar Species: Honeycomb Cowfish Acanthostracion polygonius. Prominent carapace spines projecting anteriorly from front of eyes and posteriorly from ventrolateral edges of carapace. Carapace complete around bases of soft dorsal and anal fins. Pectoral-fin rays (not including dorsal rudiment) usually 12, rarely 11. Body covered with dark hexagons and near hexagons, the lines separating them light-colored; reticulated dark lines on cheeks.

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