The Porcupinefish (Diodontidae) is located in Jamaica (Caribbean).
⭐About Porcupinefish
Porcupinefish are fish belonging to the family Diodontidae (order Tetraodontiformes) and are commonly referred to as blowfish, soursop fish and, sometimes, balloonfish and globefish.
Not to be confused, the Porcupinefish are also called pufferfish because they are morphologically similar to the closely related Tetraodontidae, which are more commonly given the name "pufferfish".
Porcupinefish are medium to large-sized fish and gets its name from the numerous long spines located all over the head and body.
They are found in shallow temperate and tropical seas. A few species are found much further out from shore, wherein large schools of thousands of individuals can occur.
Adult Porcupinefish generally linger inshore around areas that offer shelter, such as caves, shipwrecks, reefs, and ledges. They are often seen residing in holes and crevices within the reef complex.
The Juvenile Pocupinefish seen here, are pelagic (meaning being neither close to the bottom nor near the shore) until reaching 8 inches (approximately 20cm) in length, after which they become benthic (meaning.. they will go to the lowest level of the ocean)
Porcupinefish are generally slow but the distinctive natural defenses help compensate for its slow movements.
The fish moves by combining pectoral, dorsal, anal, and caudal fin motions, which makes it highly maneuverable, but very slow. The tail fin is mainly used as a rudder, but it can be used for a sudden evasive burst of speed.
The Porcupinefish's excellent eyesight, combined with this speed burst, is the first and most important defense against predators. A second defense mechanism is provided by the sharp spines, which radiate outwards when the fish is inflated.
The Porcupinefish will fill its extremely elastic stomach with water (or air when outside the water) thereby becoming rounder. The inflation also increases the fish size (almost double vertically) reducing the range of potential predators to those with much bigger mouths.
A hungry predator will find itself facing an unpalatable, pointy ball rather than a slow, easy meal.
Adults are sometimes preyed upon by sharks and killer whales. Juveniles are also preyed on by tuna and dolphins.
Some species are poisonous, having tetrodotoxin in their internal organs, such as the ovaries and liver. This neurotoxin is more potent than cyanide (at least 1200 times) and the poison is produced by several types of bacteria obtained from the fish's diet.
They have few predators as a result of the two earlier mentioned defenses and some species being poisonous.
The Porcupinefish are eaten as food fish in Cebu, the Philippines (where they are called tagotongan) and other regions around the world to include Jamaica
LOCATION:
Find this place on Google Maps.
➤ https://goo.gl/maps/HbK3QJpAYwAXiuWRA
#InJamaica #Jamaica #Porcupinefish #PorcupinefishJamaica #Pufferfish #Diodontidae
⭐About Porcupinefish
Porcupinefish are fish belonging to the family Diodontidae (order Tetraodontiformes) and are commonly referred to as blowfish, soursop fish and, sometimes, balloonfish and globefish.
Not to be confused, the Porcupinefish are also called pufferfish because they are morphologically similar to the closely related Tetraodontidae, which are more commonly given the name "pufferfish".
Porcupinefish are medium to large-sized fish and gets its name from the numerous long spines located all over the head and body.
They are found in shallow temperate and tropical seas. A few species are found much further out from shore, wherein large schools of thousands of individuals can occur.
Adult Porcupinefish generally linger inshore around areas that offer shelter, such as caves, shipwrecks, reefs, and ledges. They are often seen residing in holes and crevices within the reef complex.
The Juvenile Pocupinefish seen here, are pelagic (meaning being neither close to the bottom nor near the shore) until reaching 8 inches (approximately 20cm) in length, after which they become benthic (meaning.. they will go to the lowest level of the ocean)
Porcupinefish are generally slow but the distinctive natural defenses help compensate for its slow movements.
The fish moves by combining pectoral, dorsal, anal, and caudal fin motions, which makes it highly maneuverable, but very slow. The tail fin is mainly used as a rudder, but it can be used for a sudden evasive burst of speed.
The Porcupinefish's excellent eyesight, combined with this speed burst, is the first and most important defense against predators. A second defense mechanism is provided by the sharp spines, which radiate outwards when the fish is inflated.
The Porcupinefish will fill its extremely elastic stomach with water (or air when outside the water) thereby becoming rounder. The inflation also increases the fish size (almost double vertically) reducing the range of potential predators to those with much bigger mouths.
A hungry predator will find itself facing an unpalatable, pointy ball rather than a slow, easy meal.
Adults are sometimes preyed upon by sharks and killer whales. Juveniles are also preyed on by tuna and dolphins.
Some species are poisonous, having tetrodotoxin in their internal organs, such as the ovaries and liver. This neurotoxin is more potent than cyanide (at least 1200 times) and the poison is produced by several types of bacteria obtained from the fish's diet.
They have few predators as a result of the two earlier mentioned defenses and some species being poisonous.
The Porcupinefish are eaten as food fish in Cebu, the Philippines (where they are called tagotongan) and other regions around the world to include Jamaica
LOCATION:
Find this place on Google Maps.
➤ https://goo.gl/maps/HbK3QJpAYwAXiuWRA
#InJamaica #Jamaica #Porcupinefish #PorcupinefishJamaica #Pufferfish #Diodontidae