Shortspine Porcupinefish, Cyclichthys orbicularis (Bloch, 1785)

Scientific name: Cyclichthys orbicularis
Alternative name/s:
Birdbeak Burrfish, Fixed Spine Porcupinefish, Orbicular Burrfish, Rounded Porcupinefish
Shortspine Porcupinefish, Cyclichthys orbicularis 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

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.

Shortspine Porcupinefish, Cyclichthys orbicularis
A Shortspine Porcupinefish at a depth of 20m, Si Amil Island, Sabah, Malaysia, 30 September 2011. Image: 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.

References

  1. 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.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.