Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish
Porcupinefish are fish of the family Diodontidae, (orderTetraodontiformes), also commonly called blowfish (and, sometimes, "balloonfish" and "globefish"). They are sometimes confused with pufferfish. Porcupinefish are closely related to pufferfishes but porcupinefish have heavier spines (hence the name porcupine) on their body. Also unlike the pufferfishes, they have only a single plate of fused teeth in each of the upper and lower jaws.[1] Porcupinefish are medium to large sized fish, and are
Porcupinefish (Diodon nicthemerus) Photo by Mikkel Elbech

found in shallow temperate and tropical seas worldwide. A few species are found much further out from shore, wherein large shoals of thousands of

Scientific classification

individuals can occur. They are generally slow.[1] Porcupinefish have the ability to inflate their body by swallowing water or air, thereby becoming rounder.

Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Chordata

This increase in size (almost double vertically) reduces the range of potential predators to those with

Class:

Actinopterygii

much bigger mouths. A second defense mechanism is provided by the sharp spines, which radiate

Order:

Tetraodontiformes

outwards when the fish is inflated. Some species are poisonous, having a tetrodotoxin in their internal

Family:

Diodontidae

organs, such as the ovaries and liver. This neurotoxin is at least 1200 times more potent than cyanide.

Genera

Some scientists believe the poison is produced by several types of bacteria that are somehow obtained

See text for genera and species.

via the fish's diet, because fish bred in captivity are not poisonous,[2] however, other scientists are skeptical of this theory. As a result of these three

defences, porcupinefish have few predators, although adults are sometimes preyed upon by sharks and orcas. Juveniles are also preyed on by tuna anddolphins.[1]