The honeycomb cowfish (Acanthostracion polygonius) is a distinctive, box-shaped reef fish known for its hexagonal, honeycomb-like pattern and protruding "horns" above its eyes. Native to the warm waters of the western Atlantic, including the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and along the coasts of Florida, Central America, and northern South America, this species is primarily harvested as a food fish and occasionally for the aquarium trade. The top countries involved in honeycomb cowfish fishing are typically those bordering the Caribbean, such as the Bahamas, Jamaica, Cuba, and other nations in the Greater and Lesser Antilles, as well as coastal regions of Venezuela and Colombia. While not a major commercial species compared to larger finfish, honeycomb cowfish are caught in small-scale, artisanal fisheries using traps, nets, or handlines, and are valued locally for their mild, white flesh. However, their populations can be vulnerable to overfishing and habitat degradation, prompting some conservation concerns in heavily fished areas.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.