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August 01, 2000

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This is a picture of a porcupine fish. I took this while I was at the Sydney
Aquarium in Australia.

    The porcupine fish, as many of you know, are any of the spiny,
shallow-water fishes of the family "Diodontidae", found in seas all over the
world, especially the species "Diodon hystrix". They are related the
puffers and, like them, can inflate their bodies when provoked.
    Porcupine fish are short and broad-bodied, with large eyes, beak-like
teeth, and skins set with spines, hence the name. These spines are short and
permanently erect in some species, such as the burrfishes of the genus
"Chilomycterus". In the others, such as those of the genus "Diodon", and
this one here, the spines lie against the body except when the fish is
inflated.
    The porcupine fish, "Diodon hystrix", is a common and widely distributed
member of the family. Found throughout the world, it is a dark-spotted,
brownish fish reaching a maximum length of about 90 centimeters (3 feet).

            Just in case you were wondering.