Family : Ostraciidae (Boxfishes)
Order : Tetraodontiformes  (puffers and filefishes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Longhorn cowfish
Fish Name : Lactoria cornuta
Max size : 46.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 3141)
Environment : reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 18 - 100 m
Climate : tropical
Global Importance : fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Distribution: Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Red Sea (Ref. 12541) and East Africa (Ref. 12484) to the Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island (Ref. 9710).
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Cryptic coloring ranges from green and olive to orange with blue spots (Ref. 3141). Caudal fin rays 9-10 (Ref. 1602).
Biology : Inhabit inshore on coastal muddy or sandy habitats in still bays, and commonly found in harbours and estuaries. Small juveniles on protected shallow mudflats (Ref. 48637). Found in weedy areas near rocks or reefs. Juveniles often near river mouths and in brackish water. Adults are solitary, juveniles often form small groups (Ref. 1602). Large adults are shy (Ref. 48637). Feed on benthic invertebrates by blowing away the sand (Ref. 1602). Readily dried and used to make ornaments (Ref. 12484)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : reports of ciguatera poisoning , Halstead, B.W., P.S. Auerbach and D.R. Campbell. 1990
Coordinator : Matsuura, Keiichi
Main Ref : Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene. 1990. (Ref. 2334)

India country information
Common Names : കൊന്വന്, താരതൊന്വ്, തരതൊന്പു , കൊന്പന് , Garibo, Komban, Tharathombu
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses