Shortspine Porcupinefish, Cyclichthys orbicularis (Bloch, 1785)
Scientific name: Cyclichthys orbicularis
Alternative name/s:
Birdbeak Burrfish, Fixed Spine Porcupinefish, Orbicular Burrfish, Rounded Porcupinefish
Birdbeak Burrfish, Fixed Spine Porcupinefish, Orbicular Burrfish, Rounded Porcupinefish
Click to enlarge image
A Shortspine Porcupinefish at a depth of 20m, Si Amil Island, Sabah, Malaysia, 30 September 2011.
Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Cyclichthys
- Species
- orbicularis
- Family
- Diodontidae
- Order
- Tetraodontiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
Introduction
The video shows a stomatopod, Pseudosquilla ciliataobviously, which tried to spear something that turned out much bigger than expected!
Identification
The species can be recognised by its immovable spines and large dark spots.
A Shortspine Porcupinefish at a depth of 20m, Si Amil Island, Sabah, Malaysia, 30 September 2011.
Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
Distribution
It occurs throughout south-east Asia. In Australian it is known from tropical marine and warm temperate waters.
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
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
