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Diodon liturosus (Shaw, 1804)
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Diodon liturosus (Shaw, 1804)
  • Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
  • Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
  • Photo. (c) 2019 John Nevill.
Genus: ,

Scientific Name: Diodon liturosus

English Name: Black-blotched porcupinefish

Creole Name:

French Name: Porc-épic à épines courtes

IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (NE)



Information

Description:

Dorsal spines: 0; Dorsal rays: 14-16; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 14-16.
 
Broad bulbous head, body wide (and capable of great inflation) tapering to tail. Gill opening a relatively small vertical slit immediately before the pectoral fin base. Eyes 
large. Mouth large and terminal. Teeth fused to form a beak-like crushing structure. Erectile spines on head and body. No normal scales. Frontal spines much shorter than 
spines immediately behind pectoral fin base. A small downward-pointing spine below anterior margin of eye. Dorsal and anal fins without spines, set far back on the body. 
No pelvic fins. Caudal fin rounded. 

Colour. Light tan to grey dorsally shading to white below. Spines white. Several white-edged dark blotches on body. Fins unspotted.


Size:

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 65cm TL.


Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits reef edges and slopes but also sand or mud bottoms in inshore waters (depth 1-90m, usually 15-30m). Usually solitary, a nocturnal fish feeding on hard-shelled 
invertebrates. Juveniles occur in lagoons and estuaries. Like all members of the family, it can inflate its body with water, and turn itself into a very spiny ball, to 
protect itself.


Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not targeted, a 6 year survey of the artisanal fishery did not record this species in the landed 
catch. This species is widley considered as inedible/potentially poisonous.


Notes:

 

 


References:

Australian Museum (2019). Blackblotched Porcupinefish, Diodon liturosus Shaw, 1804. https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/fishes/blackblotched-porcupinefish-diodon-liturosus-shaw-1804/ (28/07/19).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2019). FishBase. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Diodon-liturosus.html (28/07/19).  
Heemstra P & Heemstra, E. (2004). Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa. NISC SAIAB. ISBN: 1-920033-01-7.


Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Diodon liturosus, Black-blotched porcupinefish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/diodon-liturosus-shaw-1804/ (edited 03/07/22).


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