Honeycomb cowfish (Acanthostracion polygonium)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Tetraodontiformes · Family: Ostraciidae · Genus: Acanthostracion.

Accepted name: Acanthostracion polygonium · Authority: Poey, 1876 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 1577312.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Acanthostracion poligonos Poey, 1876; Acanthostracion polygonia Poey, 1876; Acanthostracion polygonius Poey, 1876; Lactophrys polygonia (Poey, 1876); Lactophrys polygonius (Poey, 1876); Lactophrys saxatilis Mowbray, 1931.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1577312 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Acanthostracion polygonium. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 50 cm · Common length: 25 cm · Depth range: 3–80 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 40 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Occurs in clear water around coral reefs. Feeds on sponges, alcyonarians, tunicates, and shrimp. Uncommon and wary (Ref. 9710). Consumed fresh, generally roasted (Ref. 5217).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 4287) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Acanthostracion-polygonium.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

22,318 georeferenced occurrence records for Acanthostracion polygonium are published through GBIF from 42 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 144 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 28 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: United States of America (18,298); Puerto Rico (2,353); Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (346); Brazil (344); Mexico (197).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2408186) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2408186&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1577312 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Acanthostracion polygonius Poey, 1876 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 193646) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/193646/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2408186) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2408186/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The honeycomb cowfish was first formally described as Acanthostracion polygonius in 1876 by the Cuban zoologist Felipe Poey with Cuba given as its type locality. The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies the genus Acanthostracion in the within the family Ostraciidae in the suborder Ostracioidea within the order Tetraodontiformes.

Etymology

The honeycomb cowfish is classified within the genus Acanthostracion, this name combines acanthus, which means "spine" or "thorn", with ostracion. Bleeker originally proposed this taxon as a subgenus of the genus Ostracion The Specific name, polygonius, means "many angled", a reference to the hexagonal patterning on the carapace of this fish.

Description

The honeycomb cowfish has armor-like, hexagonal scales covering most of its body. It is named for its unique honeycomb-like pattern and "horns". This pattern helps the fish to blend in with coral reefs.

Most honeycomb cowfish tend to be blue in color, but can also be yellow, gray, or green. Juveniles are generally more colorful than adults. They have no pelvic fins, and the caudal fin is rounded.

Honeycomb cowfish have several modified bony scales and "horns." These serve as a means of protection. Honeycomb cowfish can be distinguished from similar fish by the two spines above their eyes and hexagonal pattern. Compared to other boxfish, the honeycomb cowfish has a smaller, protruding mouth and fleshy lips.

The maximum body length is 50 centimeters, but the average length is 25 centimeters.

Distribution

This species is distributed throughout the western Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea, and waters near Brazil. They are absent throughout most of the Gulf of Mexico, but there are populations around Florida.

Habitat

The honeycomb cowfish lives in warm, clear waters near coral reefs, sea grass beds, and in estuaries. It is an uncommon and cautious species.

Honeycomb cowfish are usually solitary, but can be seen in groups of threes consisting of one male and two females. Little is known about their reproduction, but they are known to mate in open water. They have been observed quickly swimming to the surface in pairs, releasing their gametes, and quickly swimming back down.

Honeycomb cowfish have the ability to change color in order to protect themselves from predation. Once camouflaged, the fish can remain stationary for long periods of time.

The juveniles have better swimming abilities than adults due to their rounder bodies.

Feeding occurs during the day. Their diet consists of small marine invertebrates including shrimp, sponges, algae, tunicates, and worms.

The honeycomb cowfish is considered to be a valuable food fish. It is marketed fresh, and is prized in the Caribbean where it is abundant. There have been several reports of ciguatera poisoning from the consumption of this fish. It is also sold commercially as an aquarium fish.

Source: Wikipedia: Honeycomb cowfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeycomb_cowfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.