Black-blotched Porcupinefish “Diodon liturosus”

Description

Also known asthe Shortspine Porcupinefish, Blotched Porcupinefishand theBrown-backed Porcupinefish

It is Solitary, and Feeds on crustaceans and mollusks. It is found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific on coral and rocky reefs and in inshore waters.

In case of danger, the porcupinefish can inflate itself by swallowing water to deter the potential predator with its larger volume and it can raise its spines defensively. The porcupinefish concentrates a poison, called tetrodotoxin, in certain parts of its body such as the liver, skin, gonads, and the viscera. Tetrodotoxin is a powerful neurotoxin. This defensive system constitutes an additional device to dissuade the potential predators.