Ornate Cowfish

Aracana Ornata

Ornate Cowfish

Aracana Ornata

Other Common Names
Ornate Boxfish

Connected Coasts

Other Common Names

Ornate Boxfish

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

Ornate cowfish have moderate sized eyes positioned high up on their small heads. Their dorsal, pectoral and anal fins are small and fan shaped. The corners of their caudal fin are broadly rounded and orange with looping blue lines. Juveniles are dark, almost black, developing a striped pattern over time. Ornate cowfish can grow to a length of 15 cm.

Males (image above) have an orange snout covered with angled blue lines and a body with dark hexagonal markings that are blue in the center and bordered with orange.

Females (image below) have numerous white and brown to black lines creating stripes on the lower half of their body and circles or semi-circles on the top of their body. Females also have clear fins.

Habitat

Shallow coastal bays with reefs or seagrass beds at depths of 0-15 m.

Diet

Benthic invertebrates

Life History

There is not much known regarding the reproduction and life cycle of the Aracana genus. More research is needed to understand the life history of the ornate cowfish.

It is understood however, that this species, like many tropical fish, begins as an egg, then undergoes a larval stage and grows into a juvenile. Juvenile ornate cowfish are dark, almost black, and as they enter adulthood they develop a striped pattern.

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Ornate cowfish are important to coral reef food chains. Acting as both predator and prey, they support other species as a food source while also limiting some species from becoming overpopulated.

Southern Australia from Esperance, Western Australia to northern Tasmania and Victoria

This animal is not native to the Oregon Coast, however is found in the larger Pacific Ocean. It lives in the Aquarium as part of our Connected Coasts gallery.

Ornate cowfish can release a toxin from their skin when excited or threatened.

Ornate cowfish have been seen blowing sand away to expose prey.

Citations & Other Resources

Matsuura, K., K. Amaoka and K.E. Carpenter. 2020. Aracana ornata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020
Gomon, M. F., J. C. M. Glover, R. H. Kuiter, and Flora and Fauna of South Australia Handbooks Committee. 1994. The fishes of Australia’s south coast. State Print, Adelaide [S. Aust.
Kuiter, R. H. 1997. Guide to sea fishes of Australia. New Holland, Frenchs Forest, Australia.
Leis, J. M., and B.M. Carson-Ewart. 2000. The larvae of Indo-Pacific coastal fishes : an identification guide to marine fish larvae. Brill.

Ornate Cowfish

Ornate Cowfish

Other Common Names

At the Aquarium

Appearance

Habitat

Diet

Life History

IUCN Status

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Citations & Other Resources

Contact Us

Subscribe to E-Newsletter

About Oregon Coast Aquarium