Black-blotched porcupinefish | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
Family: | Diodontidae |
Genus: | Diodon |
Species: | D. liturosus |
Binomial name | |
Diodon liturosus Shaw, 1804 |
Contents |
Up to 65 cm long, diodon liturosus is tan in colour, with several yellow-edged dark blotches on its body and many short, depressible spines.[2] The similar species Diodon hystrix has longer spines, and different colouration.
Feeds on crustaceans and molluscs.
Found up to 40m deep, usually associated with reef edges and slopes. This species is nocturnal: during the day it usually hides in caves or under ledges, but may venture out to feed under plate corals.
Although not usually sold as a food fish, it has been associated with ciguatera poisoning.[1]