Florent's Guide To The

French Polynesia

Thornback Cowfish
Lactoria fornasini
Thornback Cowfish
Category: Boxfishes
Scientific Name: Lactoria fornasini
Size: Up to 18 in. (46 cm)  
Depth: 3-150 ft. (1-45 m)
Distribution: Indo-Pacific, Hawaii, French Polynesia
Chordata (Phylum)
└Vertebrata (Subphylum)
 └Osteichthyes (Parvphylum)
  └Actinopterygii (Gigaclass)
   └Actinopteri (Superclass)
    └Teleostei (Class)
     └Tetraodontiformes (Order)
      └Ostraciidae (Family)
       └Lactoria (Genus)
        └L. fornasini (Species)

Odd-Shaped Swimmers
Boxfishes

Thornback Cowfish

Yellow Boxfish (Juvenile)

Yellow Boxfish (Intermediate Adult)

Yellow Boxfish (Adult)

Spotted Boxfish (Male)

Spotted Boxfish (Female)

Longhorn Cowfish



All Photographs
© 2025 Florent Charpin