Ornate Cowfish (female)

Aracana ornata is a species of boxfish native to southern Australia.

Other names: Ornate Thornback Trunkfish, Ornate Thornback Boxfish or Ornate Thornback Cowfish.

Description

It is characterized by a rigid shell that covers its entire body. This shell is made of fused, hard scales, providing the fish with excellent protection against predators. Its body is compact and rounded, typical of boxfish species.

The fish’s coloring is its most notable feature. Its body is adorned with intricate patterns of yellow, brown, and white spots that create a decorative effect. Adult individuals often display crossbars or circular patterns that add to their ornate appearance. On average, the fish reaches about 10–15 cm in length, making it relatively small in size.

Sexual Dimorphism:

• Males exhibit brighter colors and more distinct patterns, which help them stand out during the breeding season. Males are covered in blue and orange stripes, spots and reticulations, and have a yellowish-orange tail with a pattern of blue lines. The males have also have a distinct hump on the snout.
• Females have more subdued coloring, usually dominated by grayish and brownish tones, providing better camouflage. Females are dark brown with white or yellowish-white stripes and wavy lines; lines frequently circular dorsally; yellow to bright orange below.

First described by John Edward Gray in 1838. They can be differentiated from their close cousins the Shaw's Cowfish (Aracana aurita) by the upright look of the spines near their eyes, and their slightly smaller length.

Distribution

It is endemic to temperate waters of southern Australia, from Merimbula, New South Wales, to Esperance, Western Australia.

Habitat

It inhabits bays, harbours, and sheltered coastal waters, usually in seagrass beds in depths to 15 m. It feeds on feeds on benthic invertebrates such as crustaceans, mollusks, and worms, which it searches for by exploring the sandy seabed.

It leads a solitary lifestyle and is known for its slow, deliberate movements. Due to its rigid shell, it cannot swim quickly and relies on camouflage and agility to evade predators.

These fish are rarely kept as pets by aquarium hobbyists, as stress can cause them to release ostracitoxin from their skin, easily killing other fish in a tank.