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Species profile

Thornback Cowfish

Lactoria fornasini

Identified using iNaturalist, WoRMS.

5
Media items
Photos and videos
5
Dives
Distinct encounters
3
Locations
1 trip
View all 5 media items ↓

Archive ecology

Conditions where we found it

SNAP observations, not the species’ full biological range.

Depth evidence
8.6–12.3m
Median 10.8m · n=5
Water temperature
27.0–28.0°C
Median 28.0°C · n=5

Depth basis: 0 recorded, 0 profile-estimated, 5 contextual.

Tight observed depth band

All 5 depth-linked observations in SNAP fall between 8.6m and 12.3m.

Consistent water window

5 observations with dive temperature sit within 27.0–28.0°C.

View distributions & comparisons▾

Indicative archive pattern · 5 observations / 5 dives

Calendar-quarter observations

Apr–Jun4
Jul–Sep1

Camera-clock comparison

Morning · 4Night · 1
  • • These distributions describe photographs in SNAP, not a species’ complete biological range.
  • • No direct or profile-estimated depths are available yet.
  • • Time-of-day groups use the camera clock and are not corrected for sunrise, sunset, or timezone.
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Creature trail

A life through time and place

5 encounters

  1. #5 · Aug 3, 2026

    Exotic House Reef

    Malapascua, PH · Asia 2026

    8.6m · Dive-average context28.0°C

  2. #4 · Jun 3, 2026

    Critter Republic House Reef

    Dauin · Asia 2026

    9.6m · Dive-average context28.0°C

  3. #3 · May 31, 2026

    Malatapay

    Dauin · Asia 2026

    10.8m · Dive-average context28.0°C

  4. #2 · May 19, 2026

    Ernie's Point

    Puerto Galera · Asia 2026

    11.2m · Dive-average context27.0°C
Continue through all 5 encounters ↓

Species field guide

Notes, taxonomy, identification & seasonality

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Field notes

Encounter profile

Identified using iNaturalist, WoRMS.

Lactoria fornasini - Lactoria is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Ostraciidae, the boxfishes. The fishes in this genus are found in the Indo-Pacific, with one species extending into the southeastern Atlantic.

Archive

All media records

5 media items

Optional context

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Life found nearby

Species photographed on the same dives come first, followed by close taxonomic neighbours.

Explore this group
Anker's Whip Coral Shrimp2 shared dives
Anker's Whip Coral Shrimp
Pontonides ankeri
Puerto Galera
Blacksaddle Toby2 shared dives
Blacksaddle Toby
Canthigaster valentini
Dauin
Willan's Chromodoris2 shared dives
Willan's Chromodoris
Chromodoris willani
Puerto Galera
Aegires villosus1 shared dive
Aegires villosus
Dauin
Australian Blue Dragon1 shared dive
Australian Blue Dragon
Pteraeolidia ianthina
Dauin
Berry's Bobtail1 shared dive
Berry's Bobtail
Euprymna berryi
Dauin

Related context

Seen on

Asia 2026
Malapascua, PH / Aug 3, 2026 / 5 records