Fin's Fish Guide
The Fourbar porcupinefish (Lophodiodon calori) is a saltwater fish of the family Diodontidae that grows up to 30 cm.
Description
The fourbar porcupinefish is a porcupinefish (Diodontidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a stocky body covered in spines and bears a few conspicuous dark crossbars. When threatened it gulps water and inflates into a spiny ball. As a bottom-oriented reef-dweller it lives to about one hundred metres deep and crushes molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins with strong jaws. Like related pufferfish its body can contain the potent toxin tetrodotoxin; eating it is dangerous.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Fourbar porcupinefish?
The Fourbar porcupinefish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Inflatable spiny body; contains tetrodotoxin
Where does the Fourbar porcupinefish live?
The Fourbar porcupinefish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific
How big does the Fourbar porcupinefish get?
The Fourbar porcupinefish grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.
Is the Fourbar porcupinefish dangerous to humans?
The Fourbar porcupinefish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. Do not eat: skin, viscera and gonads may contain tetrodotoxin, a potent nerve poison with no antidote. If ingested with symptoms (tingling, muscle weakness, breathing difficulty): call emergency services immediately and support breathing.
Is the Fourbar porcupinefish edible?
The Fourbar porcupinefish is not usually eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Diodontidae
Want the complete picture on the Fourbar porcupinefish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Fourbar porcupinefish is one of 12,519 species in the app.