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Illustration of Honeycomb cowfish
fishing forecast

honeycomb cowfish

Acanthostracion polygonium · full profile

location

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period

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the species

everything about the honeycomb cowfish

how to recognize it

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.

Also called: baiacu-de-chifre, peixe-cofre, torito, honeycomb cowfish

We don't have tips on season, bait or technique for this species yet.

Where to look: Clear waters near coral reefs, 3 to 80 m deep.

It occurs from the coast of New Jersey and Bermuda to Brazil and Uruguay, in the Caribbean and the Antilles, in clear reef waters.

coast

North CoastNortheast CoastSoutheast CoastSouth Coastcoastalshelf

rules for the honeycomb cowfish

Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.

We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.

Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).

how much it weighs without taking it out of the water

estimated weight

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how we calculate

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%.

more about 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.

Family: Ostraciidae · omnivore

fun facts

  • It is also sold as an aquarium fish.

in the kitchen

It is eaten fresh, usually baked, but there are reports of ciguatera.

similar species

sources and references (3)

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.

  1. scientific FishBase: Acanthostracion polygonium (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
  2. scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Acanthostracion polygoniumNames by country and language.
  3. 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.