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Spot fin porcupinefish - solitary, inflatable, deadly

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Washington, DC, United States

When threatened, spot-fin porcupinefish deter predators by swallowing seawater to inflate their bodies, and erect their large, imposing spines.

They have powerful beak-like teeth and large tooth plates that they use to feed on hard shelled organisms such as gastropods and hermit crabs.

They're found in all tropical and subtropical marine waters around the world and typically dwell in reef habitat.

They are the largest members of the family Diodontidae (porcupinefishes), reaching lengths of up to 3 ft.

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  • Title: Spot fin porcupinefish - solitary, inflatable, deadly
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

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