Porcupine FishDiodon hystrix

JackApril 2008

Physical Features

• Size in eggs 2 mm• Juveniles 8 cm• Adults 32 in• 20 spines in rows around

the fish• Air sac

Life in the Sunlight Zone

• Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans

• Near equator, tropical• Shallow, coastal water• It eats crab, urchins,

snails, crustaceans.• 2 teeth are fused into a

hard beak to crack its prey.

Porcupine fish and its scales

• The porcupine fish uses its scales to protect itself.

• The scales have a long point.

• Special design makes the scales point out when the fish inflates.

• Poisonous flesh

Porcupine fish facts and opinions

• Slow swimmer• Not many predators• Solitary• Nocturnal• I hope I will see a

porcupine fish someday.