Spot-Fin Porcupinefish

Spot-Fin Porcupinefish

Description of the Spot-Fin Porcupinefish
The Spot-Fin Porcupinefish is also known as the Porcupine Fish or Porcupine Puffer Fish. Like other puffer fish, they have poisonous spines and if eaten can kill a human! They are a very large fish, weighing up to 2.8kg. Mainly nocturnal, they spend much of their time hiding in caves and rock crevices.

Profile of the Spot-Fin Porcupinefish
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Spot-Fin Porcupinefish species.

• Size: Up to 91cm

• Fish Tank conditions: PH 8.1 to 8.4

• Diet / Feeding: Frozen, Live or Flaked Food

• Temperament: Can be aggressive towards smaller fish and same species

• Habitat: Marine Reef Dwellers at depths of up to 50m

• Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Western Indian Ocean, Mediterranean sea
   

Scientific Classification of the Spot-Fin Porcupinefish
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Diodon hystrix 

• Popular Name: Spot-Fin Porcupinefish - Porcupine Fish

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Tetraodontiformes

• Family: Diodontidae

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Spot-Fin Porcupinefish?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Spot-Fin Porcupinefish slimy?
Spot-Fin Porcupinefish secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Spot-Fin Porcupinefish to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Spot-Fin Porcupinefish have gills?
Gills enable the Spot-Fin Porcupinefish to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Spot-Fin Porcupinefish have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Spot-Fin Porcupinefish has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Spot-Fin Porcupinefish has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Spot-Fin Porcupinefish has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

• Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Spot-Fin Porcupinefish has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Spot-Fin Porcupinefish