Family |
   Diodontidae |
Description |
   Porcupinefishes (burrfishes) |
Environment |
   Marine |
Etymology |
   Greek, di = two + Greek, odous = tooth, teeth. |
Genus |
   7 |
No. of Species |
   8 |
Order |
   Tetraodontiformes |
Class |
   Actinopterygii |
Reproductive Guild |
   Nonguarders |
Distribution |
   Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Well-developed sharp spines covering body. Body inflatable, and in some species the spines erect only when the body is inflated. Jaws with 2 fused teeth (parrotlike). Opposite premaxillaries and dentaries entirely united at midline. Adults found inshore; the young pelagic. Feed primarily on hard-shelled invertebrates crushed by the beak. Eggs are pelagic. |