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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:

These fish are found mainly around seagrass beds and around reefs in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf and Caribbean Sea.

Details:

The scrawled cowfish has a boxy-shaped body covered with “armor” called a carapace that helps protect against predators and parasites. Two spines in front of their eyes resemble cow horns. These fish mainly eat algae and small invertebrate animals.