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.
A Black-spotted Porcupinefish at Redang Island
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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.
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.
Distribution by collection data
Ozcam map of Black-spotted Porcupinefish specimens in the Australian Museum.
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
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:
Tags fish, ichthyology, Black-spotted Porcupinefish, Diodon hystrix, coral, rocky, reefs, brown, beige, grey, white, black, odd-shaped, 30 cm - 1 m, dots/spots, rocky reef, coral reef, marine, adult,
