Animal Profiles
Fish

Porcupinefish

Diodontidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Porcupinefishes can inflate their bodies when threatened. This account describes the long-spined porcupinefish, whose normally flattened spines rise as the body expands.

Long-spined porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus), the representative described here.

Long-spined porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus), the representative described here.

Diego Delso · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Diodon holocanthus is the representative used here. It inhabits tropical seas, often using reefs, grassy flats and mangrove margins. The young spend part of their development in open water.
Habitat
Coral reef, Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Snails, sea urchins and crabs are among the prey.

Classification

Common name
Porcupinefish
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Diodontidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Tetraodontiformes
Family
Diodontidae
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its spines are modified scales.
  • Fused teeth form a strong beak.
  • It often feeds at night.

Habitat and range

Diodon holocanthus is the representative used here. It inhabits tropical seas, often using reefs, grassy flats and mangrove margins. The young spend part of their development in open water.

Appearance and adaptations

Long spines are modified scales that usually lie against the body. Dark patches break up the outline. Fused teeth make a strong beak for breaking hard-shelled food.

Diet and behaviour

Snails, sea urchins and crabs are among the prey. Feeding often takes place at night. Inflation serves as a defence rather than a normal swimming posture.

Sources

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