Freckled Porcupinefish, Diodon holocanthus Linnaeus, 1758

Scientific name: Diodon holocanthus
Alternative name/s:
Fine-spotted Porcupinefish, Long-spined Porcupine Fish.
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    15/03/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Freckled Porcupinefish, Diodon holocanthus Click to enlarge image
A Freckled Porcupinefish at a depth of 11 m, under main pier at Clifton Gardens, Sydney, New South Wales, 9 October 2007. Image: Jayne Jenkins
© Jayne Jenkins

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Diodon
    Species
    holocanthus
    Family
    Diodontidae
    Order
    Tetraodontiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 35 cm in length.

Introduction

The Freckled Porcupinefish occurs in tropical and warm temperate marine waters. It has long spines on the head and body. There are small dark spots on the body and large blotches above the eyes, on the dorsal fin base and above the pectoral fins.

Identification

The Freckled Porcupinefish has long moveable spines on the head and body. It is covered with small dark spots. There are large dusky to light brown blotches (reddish in upper image) above the eyes, on the dorsal fin base and above the pectoral fins.

Habitat

The Freckled Porcupinefish occurs in coastal, coral reef and estuarine waters.

Distribution

The Freckled Porcupinefish occurs worldwide. In Australia it is known from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and on the east coast south to southern 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.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 251.