Acanthostracion polygonium Poey, 1876
Honeycomb cowfish
Acanthostracion polygonium
photo by NOAA\NMFS\Mississippi Laboratory

Family:  Ostraciidae (Boxfishes)
Max. size:  50 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 152.4 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 80 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: New Jersey, USA and Bermuda to Brazil, including the Caribbean and Antilles. Occurs in the Gulf of Mexico, off Florida, 25° 16'N, 83° 37'W (Ref.78464).
Diagnosis:  Bold pattern of hexagons outlined by narrow dark lines; centers and areas between hexagons pale (Ref. 26938). Purplish blue on sides and ventrally (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  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).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  reports of ciguatera poisoning


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