Spot-Fin Porcupinefish (Diodon hystrix) - Marine Life - Liveaboard Diving
Spot-Fin Porcupinefish (Diodon hystrix) - Marine Life - Liveaboard Diving

Spot-Fin Porcupinefish

The Spot-Fin Porcupinefish (Diodon hystrix) is also known as the Black-Spotted, Spotted Porcupinefish, Blowfish, Spiny Box Puffer, Hedgehogfish and Swelltoad. It should not to be mistaken with the Black-Spotted Pufferfish, which is a completely different species that doesn't have spines.

This Porcupinefish is normally 50-60cm in length but can grow to 90cm in some cases. Like Pufferfishes, the porcupinefish can inflate its body when it feels threatened. It lives in tropical and sub-tropical seas around the world, usually feeding on gastropods, crustaceans and sea urchins at night. They have a good range of vision from being able to move their large eyes independently, but it's quite common to see individuals with damaged or missing eyes from past incidents.

Freckled Porcupinefish
Spot-Fin Porcupinefish
Credit: Alexander Kiermayer
Swelltoad Bowfish Globefish
Spot-Fin Porcupinefish
Credit: Alexander Kiermayer
Black-Spotted Porcupinefish
Spot-Fin Porcupinefish
Credit: Alexander Kiermayer
Spot-Fin Porcupinefish Diodon hystrix
Scientific Rank
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata (Chordates)
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes (Pufferfish, Triggerfish, & Filefish)
Family: Diodontidae (Diodontidae)
Genus: Diodon (Diodon)
Species: Diodon hystrix
Size
Average Size: 50 centimetres

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