Roundbelly cowfish
📖 Overview
Inhabit coral and rocky reefs of coastal areas . Also common on offshore sand and mudflats . Young fish occur in oceanic waters, at or near the surface ; semi-transparent young may enter estuaries . Benthopelagic . Feed on benthic invertebrates . A large number of juveniles were found in the stomachs of flatheads .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9. Small spine on back and short spines before eyes . Caudal fin rays 10 . : short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Roundbelly cowfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 8 - 50 m . Subtropical; 35°N - 28°S Southeast Atlantic: off Swakopmund, Namibia (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
benthic invertebrates (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Many-spined Cowfish · roundbelly cowfish · Spiny Boxfish · Spiny Cowfish · Transparent Boxfish |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Umisuzume · ウミスズメ |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Круглобрюхая лактория · многошипый рогатый кузовок |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | cofre espinoso |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Roundbelly cowfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 45 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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