Image: X-ray of leatherjacket spine
An x-ray image of a the dorsal spine of a leatherjacket from the Australian Museum Ichthyology Collection.
- Photographer:
- James King
- Rights:
- © Australian Museum
- Order:
- Tetraodontiformes
Additional information
Many of the triggerfishes (Family Balistidae) and leatherjackets (Family Monacanthidae) have a first dorsal fin spine that can be locked into an erect position.
This is made possible by a ball and socket "trigger-like" mechanism. The base of the second spine slots into a groove in the first spine. The locking mechanism is released when the second spine is depressed.
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Tags fishes, ichthyology, x-ray, leatherjacket, triggerfish, Monacanthidae, Balistidae,
