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Scrawled Cowfish

Scrawled cowfish

Acanthostracion quadricornis

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Fun Facts

These hogfish have protective armor, called a carapace, that deters predators from eating them. 

Species Type:

Fishes

Common Name(s):

Scrawled cowfish

Size:

The average size of a scrawled cowfish is 8 inches (20.0 centimeters) long.

Diet:

Scrawled cowfish eat sponges, hermit crabs, marine plants, anemones and crustaceans like shrimp.

Range & Habitat:

Throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, scrawled cowfish live in seagrass beds.

Details:

The scrawled cowfish gets its name from the scrawled blue patterning along their yellow-tan body. They have two spines projecting in front of their eyes, giving the appearance of cow horns, hence the name “cowfish”. Their fins and tail are fan-like.