Lactoria diaphana (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Rare in Hawai`i, this fish resembles the common Thornback Cowfish (Lactoria fornasini) but grows twice as large. It lacks blue markings and bears one or more small outward-pointing spines on the ridges of the upper sides, usually on either side of the central thorn. In the eastern Pacific this species is pelagic and some authors suggest that it drifts to Hawai`i from time to time. However, it is also capable of living a settled, bottom-dwelling life. An individual at Miyake-Jima, Japan, was observed in one area continuously for eight years. Large specimens have very rounded, convex bellies. In the western Pacific and Indian Oceans these fish lack the small outward-pointing spines on the upper corners of the carapace; it is possible that more than one species is lumped under this name. To about 10 in. Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific. Photos: Kepuhi, O`ahu. 40 ft.
