Slender-spined porcupine fish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Slender-spined porcupine fish |
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Diodontidae
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Diodon
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D. nichthemerus
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| Diodon nichthemerus G. Cuvier, 1818
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The slender-spined porcupine fish or globefish (Diodon nichthemerus) is a cool fish. It belongs to the porcupinefish family, called Diodontidae. You can find this fish in the waters of southern Australia. It lives from Port Jackson all the way to Geraldton, Western Australia.
This fish is most common in Port Phillip Bay and the coastal waters of Tasmania. It likes shallow waters near the coast. You can often spot it under man-made jettys.
About the Slender-Spined Porcupine Fish
The slender-spined porcupine fish is one of the smallest porcupinefish. It can grow up to 28 centimeters long. That's about the length of a school ruler! It looks a bit like the three-bar porcupinefish (Dicotylichthys punctulatus). But it's smaller and has slightly different markings on its body.
What the Porcupine Fish Eats
This fish loves to eat small creatures that live on the ocean floor. These are called benthic invertebrates. Invertebrates are animals without a backbone, like crabs or snails. The porcupine fish uses its mouth to find and munch on these tasty snacks.
How It Protects Itself
The slender-spined porcupine fish has a special way to stay safe. It has thin, yellow spines all over its body. These spines are usually flat against its skin. But if the fish feels scared or in danger, it can quickly blow up its body. When it does this, its sharp spines stick out. This makes the fish look much bigger and spikier. It's a great way to scare off any animals that want to eat it!
