Black-spotted Porcupinefish, Diodon hystrix (Linnaeus, 1758)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Black-spotted Porcupinefish, Diodon hystrix (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Black-spotted Porcupinefish is a tropical species that has black spots on the head, body and fins. It is usually found on coral and rocky reefs.

Identification

The Black-spotted Porcupinefish has stout spines on the head and body. It is greenish to grey-brown above and paler below. The head, body and fins are covered with fine black spots.

Size range

The species grows to at least 70 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters worldwide.

In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia and the northern Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Black-spotted Porcupinefish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species is usually found on coral and rocky reefs.

Classification

Species:: hystrix
Genus:: Diodon
Family:: Diodontidae
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 18 June 2009

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