Animal Species:Freckled Porcupinefish, Diodon holocanthus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Freckled Porcupinefish occurs in tropical and warm temperate marine waters. It has long spines on the head and body. There are small dark spots on the body and large blotches above the eyes, on the dorsal fin base and above the pectoral fins.

Freckled Porcupinefish, Diodon holocanthus

Freckled Porcupinefish, Diodon holocanthus
Jayne Jenkins © Jayne Jenkins

Alternative Name/s

Fine-spotted Porcupinefish, Long-spined Porcupine Fish.

Identification

The Freckled Porcupinefish has long moveable spines on the head and body. It is covered with small dark spots. There are large dusky to light brown blotches (reddish in upper image) above the eyes, on the dorsal fin base and above the pectoral fins.

Size range

The species grows to about 35 cm in length.

Distribution

The Freckled Porcupinefish occurs worldwide. In Australia it is known from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and on the east coast south to southern 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.

Diodon holocanthus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Freckled Porcupinefish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The Freckled Porcupinefish occurs in coastal, coral reef and estuarine waters.

Classification

Species:
holocanthus
Genus:
Diodon
Family:
Diodontidae
Order:
Tetraodontiformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 251.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Freckled Porcupinefish, Diodon holocanthus, Diodontidae, brown, pink, white, odd-shaped, 30 cm - 1 m, dots/spots, worldwide, marine, adult,