Black-spotted Porcupinefish, Diodon hystrix Linnaeus, 1758
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© Erik Schlögl
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Diodon
- Species
- hystrix
- Family
- Diodontidae
- Order
- Tetraodontiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- The species grows to at least 70 cm in length.
Introduction
The Black-spotted Porcupinefish is a tropical species that has black spots on the head, body and fins. It is usually found on coral and rocky reefs.
Identification
The Black-spotted Porcupinefish has stout spines on the head and body. It is greenish to grey-brown above and paler below. The head, body and fins are covered with fine black spots
The spines on the body are erectile (as opposed to those of Allomycterus and Chilomycterus)
Habitat
The species is usually found on coral and rocky reefs.
Distribution
It occurs in tropical marine waters worldwide.
In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia and the northern Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
