honeycomb cowfish
Acanthostracion polygonium
Boxfish of clear reef waters, with a hexagon pattern, uncommon and wary. There are reports of ciguatera.
Also called: baiacu-de-chifre, peixe-cofre, torito, honeycomb cowfish
- maximum
- 50 cm
- record/max.
- 0.2 kg
- depth
- 3–80 m
who is the honeycomb cowfish
Boxfish of the family Ostraciidae, with a box-shaped body, reaching 50 cm. It lives in clear waters near coral reefs, from 3 to 80 m deep. It eats sponges, soft corals (alcyonarians), tunicates and shrimp. It is uncommon and wary, and hardly shows up in angling. It is used in commercial fishing and the aquarium trade. When caught, it is eaten fresh, usually baked, but there are reports of ciguatera.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the honeycomb cowfish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It is also sold as an aquarium fish.
identification
Well-marked hexagon pattern with thin dark outlines covering the body, with the centers and the spaces between the hexagons pale. The sides and underside are bluish purple. It differs from the triangular trunkfish (Lactophrys trigonus), which has small white spots and chain-like marks in two areas of the body.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
It occurs from the coast of New Jersey and Bermuda to Brazil and Uruguay, in the Caribbean and the Antilles, in clear reef waters.
Habitat: Clear waters near coral reefs, 3 to 80 m deep.
coast
rules for the honeycomb cowfish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
There are reports of ciguatera, a poisoning caused by a toxin that builds up in the flesh of reef fish. When in doubt, release this uncommon fish.
in the kitchen
It is eaten fresh, usually baked, but there are reports of ciguatera.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.0302, b = 2.8; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Acanthostracion polygonium (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Acanthostracion polygoniumNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
