Description

Also known as Burrfish, Four-bar Porcupinefish, Violet Porcupinefish.

Found singly, over rubble and sandy bottoms, of the continental shelf.
They feed on hard shelled invertebrates.
Length - 30cm
Depth - 10-100m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Porcupinefish spines lay flat, but when threatened they can inflate like a "football with spikes" so the spines are facing outwards to deter prey. The have a plated mouth structure for crushing shells or "fingers".
Can give a nasty bite! Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/8067