Longhorn Cowfish

This odd-looking longhorn cowfish makes for a fascinating display animal if you have the right captive venue, which the typical home aquarium is not. It should be housed with exceptionally passive, non-aggressive tankmates. If housed with aggressive feeders, (such as any fish that moderately active and feeds well) the Longhorn Cowfish may have trouble competing for food. Make sure you keep an eye on this fish during feeding time if kept with fish that feed well, and beware that it may never adapt if kept in such a situation. This fish will fare best if kept with docile, dissimilar fishes such as bottom dwelling fishes such as gobies, etc. Any fish that is an active swimmer and good feeder will likely put the cowfish in the position of never getting enough food. It is possible to keep more than one in the same tank (especially young individuals), but adults may quarrel. It will not usually bother other fishes. When first introduced to its new home it can be easily startled. It is not uncommon for this species to dash about the tank and may collide with rockwork or the sides of the tank. Once acclimated, this behavior will stop. It is an active species that can grow quite large with ideal care, so make sure you provide it with plenty of swimming room. Although this species is reported to have the ability to release toxins if stressed like the other trunkfishes, it is apparently less likely to do so and/or the toxin is not as lethal. This species is susceptible to Cryptocaryon and Lymphocystis. It is best not to house it with cleaner wrasses, as these wrasses will incessantly chase and try to clean them, which will result in problems. Note that the horns of this species grow shorter as the fish gets larger. The tail is longer in older specimens.

Size: 1-2 inches
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Docile
Reef Safe: No
Diet: Meaty Variety, chopped and frozen seafoods, freeze dried krill
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Acclimation Time: 3+ hours
Minimum Tank Size: 55 Gallons