Amazing Nature #164 - Cute Cow Fish
Cute Cowfish
Today I bring you a marine animal, I had some time away from marine animals, so today I enjoyed this wonder overseas, it is a cowfish, although its name is related to the terrestrial mammal the fish actually has no genetic relationship, is so called by horns that resemble those who have cows. Come with me to learn more about this colorful fish.
Known by the scientific name of Lactoria cornuta, it is commonly called cowfish, this is due to its main distinctive features whose horns located on the head resemble the horns of a cow. The horns are not by chance, according to scientific studies have determined that the horns are part of the evolution that the fish has undergone for thousands of years, the horns now mean an alert and security to other predators that make them much more difficult to eat.
Their average size is 50 centimeters long. Unlike other marine fish, cowfish have no protection in the gills, so they have a barely distinguishable opening, their mouth is a little large with thick lips. Among other features we have that its dorsal fin is smaller than in other species and has 9 spokes, while its caudal fin has 10 soft spokes, their colors depend on the habitat and food, can be found in colors such as yellow, green, or orange. Their scales are of a hexagonal type.
If attacked, they can react with determination, releasing a toxin capable of paralyzing other fish. This is because they are not fast swimmers like other fish, their swimming style is called stratiform swimming. Therefore they depend on this toxin to be able to defend themselves from other faster fish.
They are found mainly in Pacific reefs, small bays and some reefs that are protected at sea. When they reach adulthood they are found in solitary places, which has created a somewhat hostile and territorial personality. While when they are younger they tend to be more friendly and group-oriented, they will never be deeper than 100 meters deep.
The places where they are the most concentrated area between the Red Sea and East Africa, some coastal areas of southern Japan, and some reef areas in Australia. Their diet is based on the intake of small crustaceans, small mollusks, and some fish, all of which have to be smaller than that of the cowfish, they can also feed on algae, and various microorganisms making them omnivorous.
Between males and females, there is no sexual dimorphism that can be appreciated is very difficult to differentiate between the two sexes. This species is highly prized in the illegal exotic pet market and has made the population of this species almost disappear. In addition, they are one of the easiest reef fish to hunt as they are not very quick to swim.
Although there are laws prohibiting their hunting, they can easily be found in aquarium shops for very high prices. Unfortunately, this species does not survive long outside its natural habitat, dying quickly if it is not known as the temperature and food indicated for the fish.
We will always find this kind of unconscious behavior that continues to affect the various species around the planet.
Thank you for reading
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wow! very cute lovely fish - I really like it
@flamingirl, I want to say just wow. This is so beautiful underwater creation and specially it have very bright colour essence. Thank you so much for introducing this beauty to us.
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Lovely piece and pic. Thank you! (upvoted)
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