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Marine Life Encyclopedia

Ocean Fishes

Spotted Porcupinefish

Diodon hystrix

Distribution

Worldwide in tropical to temperate latitudes

ECOSYSTEM/HABITAT

Coral and rocky reefs

FEEDING HABITS

Foraging predator

TAXONOMY

Order Tetraodontiformes (plectognaths), Family Diodontidae (porcupinefishes)

This species is known to occur on coral and rocky reefs throughout the world’s tropical and subtropical seas, likely because it lives in the open pelagic ocean until it reaches a size of approximately eight inches (20 cm). However, an extensive genetic study of the spotted porcupinefish may reveal the existence of different species in different ocean basins (e.g., on either side of Central America). Unlike many blotchy species of porcupinefishes, this species is covered with small, regularly spaced spots.

The spotted porcupinefish, like all porcupinefishes, has very strong jaws and beak-like teeth. All the teeth in the upper jaw are fused into a single plate, and all the teeth in the lower jaw are fused into a single plate. In fact, the family name for porcupinefishes (Diodontidae) means “two teeth,” reflecting the single tooth plate that these fishes have on each jaw. Spotted porcupinefishes are foraging predators, and don’t eat other fishes. Instead, their specialized jaws and teeth are perfect for feeding on hard-shelled or spiny invertebrates, like urchins, snails, and crabs. They spend much of their time foraging for their preferred prey.

The spotted porcupinefish is a very poor swimmer and can easily be caught, even by SCUBA divers. However, when threatened, the spotted porcupinefish has the incredible ability to swallow water and erect its spines until it looks like a large, spiny balloon. Though the process takes a few seconds, when complete, it is almost 100% effective at preventing predation. It is very difficult (and potentially dangerous) for a predator to swallow an inflated spotted porcupinefish. When an individual no longer feels threatened, it uses muscles along its abdomen to push the water back out of its mouth. Even if successfully eaten (before it can inflate), the spotted porcupinefish can be poisonous to potential predators, so this species is rarely eaten on the reef.

The spotted porcupinefish is typically fairly uncommon but can reach large numbers at some locations. Its conservation status is currently unknown, but its rarity is likely a natural occurrence.

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Additional Resources:

IUCN Red List

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