Longhorn cowfish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 40 cm. The largest on record measured 46 cm (total length). The largest of the 6 Ostraciidae species on LumaReef (Striped Boxfish is the smallest, 12 cm).

Longhorn cowfish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 300 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Gallery tank or larger.

Longhorn cowfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 89 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Yellow boxfish, Volitans lionfish, and Niger triggerfish.

Longhorn cowfish depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 1 to 100 m down. Close to most Ostraciidae on LumaReef (1–80 m).

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Longhorn cowfish

Lactoria cornuta

It whirs along inside a hard shell, jetting sand to uncover its food.

The Longhorn cowfish (Lactoria cornuta) is a tropical marine fish of the family Ostraciidae. It lives on and around reefs, between 1 and 100 m deep. Adults grow to about 40 cm; the largest on record measured 46 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 300 cm long and water at 23–27 °C.

Size: 40 cm
Smallest tank: 300 cm
Temperature: 23–27 °C
Care: Demanding

In the aquarium

Temperature23–27 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Bottom
Group: Lives on its own
Coral: Nips corals

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litresToo small
Living room180 cm · 650 litresToo small
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litresToo small
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres22 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along89 species

and 65 more species

Caution1 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Lined seahorse

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Largest on record: 46 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

1 m100 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderTetraodontiformes
FamilyOstraciidae
GenusLactoria
SpeciesLactoria cornuta

In other languages

German: Gehörnter Kuhkofferfisch
Spanish: Pez vaca de cuernos largos
French: Poisson-vache à longues cornes
Italian: Pesce scatola cornuto comune
Dutch: Langhoornkoffervis
Russian: Рогатый кузовок
Japanese: コンゴウフグ
Chinese: 角箱魨

Quick answers

Longhorn cowfish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 40 cm. The largest on record measured 46 cm (total length). The largest of the 6 Ostraciidae species on LumaReef (Striped Boxfish is the smallest, 12 cm).
Longhorn cowfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 300 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Gallery tank or larger.
Longhorn cowfish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5.
Longhorn cowfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 89 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Yellow boxfish, Volitans lionfish, and Niger triggerfish.
Longhorn cowfish: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Longhorn cowfish and corals: is it reef safe?: No, it may nip at corals.
Longhorn cowfish depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 1 to 100 m down. Close to most Ostraciidae on LumaReef (1–80 m).