Thornback cowfish
Lactoria fornasini
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Thornback cowfish
- Scientific
- Lactoria fornasini
- Dhivehi
- ކަށި ގޮނުKashi gonu
- Group
- Reef fish
- Family
- Ostraciidae (boxfishes)
- Maximum size
- Up to about 23 cm (total length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 23 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 5 to 132 m (usually 6 to 30 m)
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2023
Description
A small cowfish with a box-like shell, two short horns over the eyes and a strong spine in the middle of the back, light brown with blue spots and lines. It swims slowly by sculling with its dorsal and anal fins over sand, rubble and weed with patchy corals. Like other boxfish it can release a toxin from its skin when stressed.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name kashi gonu (MRS 1997). MRS notes it appears to be rare in the Maldives.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Lactoria-fornasini.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ކަށި_ގޮނު
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Thornback_cowfish_(Lactoria_fornasini)_(40757394194).jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Kashi gonu' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ކަށި ގޮނު' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FLAG: the source states no traditional name was recorded and this descriptive name was coined for the book; it is not an established fishermen's name.