Black-blotched Porcupinefish
Diodon liturosus
Also known as: Balloonfish, Blotched Porcupinefish, Globefish, Hedgehogfish, Long-spined Porcupinefish, Masked Porcupinefish, Shortspine Porcupine, Shortspine Porcupinefish, Swelltoad, Toadfish
- Balloonfish
- Blotched Porcupinefish
- Globefish
- Hedgehogfish
- Long-spined Porcupinefish
- Masked Porcupinefish
- Shortspine Porcupine
- Shortspine Porcupinefish
- Swelltoad
- Toadfish
Overview
Found singly, hiding during the day in caves, under ledges, and in coral plates, along reef edges and slopes.
They feed nocturnally on crustaceans and molluscs.
Widespread South East Atlantic, 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!
How to identify
- Pattern
- black blotchesblotches
- Body shape
- spines
- Fins & Tail
- yellow fins
Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Indo-Pacific, Southeast Atlantic
- Exact location · 1
- Country only · 15
Found singly, hiding during the day in caves, under ledges, and in coral plates, along reef edges and slopes.
Adult photos 16
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Deep dive
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