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Roundbelly Cowfish
Lactoria diaphana (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
A juvenile Roundbelly Cowfish found on the beach at North Durras, south coast, New South Wales, July 2004. View larger image. Photo: Allan Heath.
The Roundbelly Cowfish has a pair of short horns in front of the eyes, a stout spine on the back, and a pair of spines near the anal fin. As its common name suggests, the belly region of the carapace is rounded.
This species is yellowish to brown with dusky spots and blotches. Juveniles can be recognised by the almost transparent lower portion of the head and body.
The Roundbelly Cowfish grows to 30 cm in length.
It occurs in tropical and some temperate waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific.
In Australia it is known from north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country, and south to the southern coast of New South Wales.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
The Roundbelly Cowfish is also known as the Diaphanous Box-fish, Diaphanous Cowfish, Thorny-back Cowfish, Translucent Boxfish and Transparent Boxfish.
Related links
- Thorny-back Cowfish fact sheet
- View the Boxfish list
Further reading
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
