Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Lactoria

Lactoria diaphana

(Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Roundbelly Cowfish

Not Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean and Eastern Pacific Ocean; South Africa east through Indonesia to Easter Island and Peru, north to Southern Japan, and east to Southern California.

Size: 14 inches (33 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits coastal weedy and rocky areas near sandy lagoons and usually found at depths between 25 – 150 feet (8 – 45 m) where it feeds on benthic invertebrates.

General Husbandry: Not collected for the trade.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Tetraodontiformes

    Suborder: Tetraodontoidei

    Family: Ostraciidae

    Genus: Lactoria

FYI: Shown here for identification only.

When excited or threatened can release a toxin (ostracitoxin) that may kill other fish.

 Lactoria diaphana (Roundbelly Cowfish)
Photo © John Randall
Lactoria cornuta Lactoria fornasini
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