Longhorn cowfish

Care at a glance

The longhorn cowfish stands out immediately for the two horn-like projections above its eyes and its boxy, armoured body that looks more like a block than a fish. Despite its slow, somewhat clumsy swimming style, it is a curious fish that bonds quickly with its keeper.

When stressed or upon dying it can release a toxin that kills other tank residents, so stability and avoiding aggressive tankmates are not a luxury but a necessity. It grows substantially and eventually needs a large tank to match its size; don't buy one for a tank that can't grow with it.

Good to know

• Outgrows most home tanks
• Needs a mature, stable tank
• Palytoxin risk — wear gloves
• Preys on shrimp and snails

Related species

• Banded pipefishDunckerocampus dactyliophorus
• Sergeant major damselAbudefduf saxatilis
• Lamarck’s angelfishGenicanthus lamarck
• Miniatus grouper (coral hind)Cephalopholis miniata
• Cherub angelfish (argi)Centropyge argi
• Twinspot gobySignigobius biocellatus