Spot-fin Porcupinefish

The Spot-fin Porcupinefish, also known as the Spotted Porcupinefish or Black-Spotted Porcupinefish, is a fascinating member of the Diodontidae family. This medium-sized fish can grow up to 91 cm (around 3 feet) in length but is more commonly seen at around 40 cm (about 1.3 feet). It typically weighs up to 2.8 kg (about 6 pounds). With its distinctive appearance, the fish features an elongated body and a spherical head adorned with large, protruding eyes and a notably big mouth.

The porcupinefish has skin covered with modified scales that act as spines. These spines fold back against the body when it is not inflated but stand erect as a defense mechanism when the fish feels threatened. To thwart predators further, it can swallow water to inflate its body, making the spines more prominent. Its body is a greyish-tan color, speckled with small black spots and no large dark blotches, and it has a white belly encircled by a dusky ring.

Living in subtropical and tropical waters around the world, the Spot-fin Porcupinefish can be found from the reefs off San Diego to 🇨🇱 Chile, including the Galapagos Islands, as well as in various parts of the Atlantic and 🌊 Indian Oceans. Although reports of their presence in the Mediterranean are rare, sightings have occurred near southern Italy and the Balearic Islands. Juvenile porcupinefish are pelagic, meaning they live in the open sea, until they grow to about 20 cm (roughly 8 inches). Adults prefer to dwell in reefs, typically inhabiting depths between 3 to 20 meters (9.8 to 66 feet), although they can be found as deep as 50 meters (164 feet). During the day, they often hide in caves or underneath ledges.

Spot-fin Porcupinefish are primarily nocturnal, active during twilight hours at sunrise and sunset. They lead a solitary life, except during mating seasons. Their diet consists of hard-shelled invertebrates such as sea urchins, gastropods, clams, and crustaceans.

Interestingly, the porcupinefish stores tetrodotoxin, a potent poison, in its liver, skin, gonads, and viscera, serving as a chemical defense. Additionally, while they are not generally targeted for food or commerce, they are occasionally captured for the aquarium trade. Despite being carriers of specific parasites, these do not affect humans.