porcupine fish

porcupine fish

▪ fish
      any of the spiny, shallow-water fishes of the family Diodontidae, found in seas around the world, especially the species Diodon hystrix. They are related to the puffers and, like them, can inflate their bodies when provoked.

      Porcupine fishes are short and broad-bodied, with large eyes, beaklike teeth, and skins set with spines, hence the name. These spines are short and permanently erect in some species, such as the burrfishes of the genus Chilomycterus. In the others, such as those of the genus Diodon, the spines lie against the body except when the fish is inflated. The skins of porcupine fishes, inflated, dried, and sometimes provided with a light bulb inside, are commonly sold as curios. The porcupine fish (Diodon hystrix) is a common and widely distributed member of the family. Found throughout the world, it is a dark-spotted, brownish fish reaching a maximum length of about 90 centimetres (3 feet).

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Porcupine fish — Porcupine Por cu*pine, n. [OE. porkepyn, porpentine, OF. porc espi, F. porc [ e]pic (cf. It. porco spino, porco spinoso, Sp. puerco espino, puerco espin, fr. L. porcus swine + spina thorn, spine). The last part of the French word is perhaps a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • porcupine fish — /ˈpɔkjəpaɪn fɪʃ/ (say pawkyuhpuyn fish) noun (plural porcupine fish or porcupine fishes) any of various species of spiny, self inflating fishes of the family Diodontidae, poisonous to eat, and found in tropical waters. Usage: For variation in the …  

  • porcupine fish — Globefish Globe fish , n. (Zo[ o]l.) A plectognath fish of the genera {Diodon}, {Tetrodon}, and allied genera. The globefishes can suck in water or air and distend the body to a more or less globular form. Called also {porcupine fish}, and {sea… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • porcupine fish — noun Date: 1681 any of several bony fishes (family Diodontidae) that have sharp spines covering the body and inflate themselves into a sphere when threatened; especially a spotted chiefly tropical fish (Diodon hystrix) that is olive to brown… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • porcupine fish — noun a spiny tropical marine fish which inflates itself when threatened. [Diodon hystrix and other species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • porcupine fish —   Kōkala, hoana …   English-Hawaiian dictionary

  • porcupine fish — noun spines become erect when the body is inflated; worldwide in warm waters • Syn: ↑porcupinefish, ↑Diodon hystrix • Hypernyms: ↑spiny puffer • Member Holonyms: ↑Diodon, ↑genus Diodon …   Useful english dictionary

  • ballon porcupine fish — ilgadyglė ežiažuvė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Diodon holacanthus angl. ballon porcupine fish; balloonfish; common porcupine fish; freckled porcupine fish; lesser porcupine fish; long spined… …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • common porcupine fish — ilgadyglė ežiažuvė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Diodon holacanthus angl. ballon porcupine fish; balloonfish; common porcupine fish; freckled porcupine fish; lesser porcupine fish; long spined… …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • freckled porcupine fish — ilgadyglė ežiažuvė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Diodon holacanthus angl. ballon porcupine fish; balloonfish; common porcupine fish; freckled porcupine fish; lesser porcupine fish; long spined… …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

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