Smooth Trunkfish, Cowfish, Smooth Swellfish 409 



The Smooth Trunkfish is a West Indian species reaching 

 north to Florida. Small individuals may occur as rare 

 stragglers north to Cape Cod. Maximum size in the south 

 is about 10 inches. 



Cowfish 

 Lactophrys tricornis (Linnaeus) 



The Cowfish inhabits the tropical parts of the Atlantic. It 

 is common to North Carolina, and the young are found 

 as rare stragglers in the region from Cape Hatteras to 

 Cape Cod. This fish grows to about one foot in length. 



Smooth Swellfish, Rabbit Fish 

 Lagocephalus laevigatas (Linnaeus) 



Color: Dark green above; sides bright silver; belly white. 

 Distribution: Brazil to Cape Cod but seen only occasion- 

 ally north of Cape Hatteras. 

 Size: Reaches a length of about 2 feet. 

 General Information: The Smooth Swellfish is the largest 

 species of this group of fishes. 



Economic Importance: This fish is sometimes caught by 

 anglers fishing for other species of fish. 



