ANIMAL SPECIES:Thornback Cowfish, Lactoria fornasini (Bianconi, 1846)
The Thornback Cowfish has a pair of large spines projecting forward in front of the eyes. The species occurs in tropical, and some temperate marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.
Alternative Name/s
Spiny-backed Cow-fish, Thorny-back Cow-fish, Thorny-back CowfishIdentification
The Thornback Cowfish is covered with hard bony armour. There is a pair of large spines projecting forward in front of the eyes. Another pair of spines projects posteriorly below the caudal fin from the rear of the ventro-lateral ridges. A single spine is positioned dorsally.
The species is green to brown with blue spots and dashes.
Size range
It grows to 20cm in length.Distribution
The Thornback Cowfish occurs in tropical, and some temperate marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.
In Australia it is known from southern to north-western Western Australia and from the northern coast of Queensland to the southern coast of New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Thornback Cowfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Classification
- Species:
- fornasini
- Genus:
- Lactoria
- Family:
- Ostraciidae
- Order:
- Tetraodontiformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
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A Thornback Cowfish at Chowder Bay View full size
Jonathan Regan
© Jonathan Regan
A Thornback Cowfish trawled from near Lord Howe Island View full size
Kerryn Parkinson
© NORFANZ Founding Parties
A Thornback Cowfish at Halifax Sponge Gardens View full size
David and Leanne Atkinson
© David and Leanne Atkinson
A Thornback Cowfish at 'The Pipeline' View full size
David and Leanne Atkinson
© David and Leanne Atkinson
A Thornback Cowfish at Port Stephens View full size
David and Leanne Atkinson
© David and Leanne Atkinson
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2 comments
Mark McGrouther
8.08 AM, 24 August 2009
Hi Jonathan, Thank you for submitting the image. It's a great shot that shows some of the unusual characters of the species. I'll add it to the factsheet in the next day or two. Thanks again.
Jonathan
7.08 AM, 23 August 2009
Photo of a L. fornasini taken at Chowder Bay, 6.5m, 22 August, 2009.
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