Acanthostracion polygonius

Honeycomb cowfish | Acanthostracion polygonia
Acanthostracion polygonius
Acanthostracion polygonius, Bonaire, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Acanthostracion polygonius
Acanthostracion polygonius, Abrolhos, Bahia, Brazil, Photo: Graham Edgar
Acanthostracion polygonius
Acanthostracion polygonius, Turks & Caicos, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
1 / 3
Acanthostracion polygonius
Acanthostracion polygonius
Acanthostracion polygonius

Distribution

Tropical Atlantic/Caribbean


Description

Box-like body shape with two horns above eyes and a body honeycomb pattern of black polygons over a tan background colouration. It is uncommon and shy. Usually found in clear water around coral reefs.


Information

Max Size: 50 cm

Sea Temperature Range: 23.6-30.4°C

Depth: 3-80m

Habitat Generalization Index: N/A

Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.


Conservation and Rarity

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

Occurrence: Common (20% of sites)

Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed

Abundance: Solitary (1 per transect)

Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.


Edit by: Joe Shields