The Long-Spine Porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus) is a marine (saltwater) fish in the Diodontidae family. It is also known as the Freckled Porcupinefish.
The Long-Spine Porcupinefish is pale beige with large black blotches and smaller black spots. It has many long spines, mainly on its head.
It grows to about 50 centimetres (20 inches) in length.
It is found in tropical seas in the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. It prefers shallow water in rocky reefs and muddy lagoons.
It is omnivorous. It eats sea urchins, crabs, and molluscs (sea snails). Its sharp beak can crack open the shells of sea animals.
The female Long-Spine Porcupinefish produces lots of eggs that drift in the ocean.
Location of photographs: Parc Zoologique de Paris in Bois de Vincennes, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM