Taxidermy Specimens, Seahorse & Horned Cowfish

Two natural, dried taxidermy specimens. Seahorse and horned cowfish skeletons. Excellent condition.

Seahorses belong to the genus hippocampus. They are unique among fish for swimming upright and possessing a prehensile tail used to anchor themselves to stationary objects. They are carnivorous, feeding on small crustaceans and other planktonic invertebrates.

Longhorn cowfish (Lactoria cornuta), is a type of boxfish. It is recognizable by the prominent horn-like spines above its eyes and two more spines near its tail. The fish has a rigid, box-shaped body covered in armor-like, fused hexagonal plates, or a carapace, which provides protection from predators.
Cowfish lack a pelvic skeleton and pelvic fins, and they swim in a unique, hovering method using only their other fins. When stressed, the fish can release a toxic substance called ostracitoxin, which is harmful to other fish.