MASTERS OF THE WATER-BONY FISHES 271 



fully able to bite through a crab's shell. Examples of cooperative feeding, in 

 which several individuals are able to get a meal where one could not, are rare 

 in animals of such a supposedly low order of intelligence. The example of the 

 thresher shark, given earlier, is the only other one that is known for fishes. 



Similar Species: The northern puffer, Spheroides maculatus, is without bands 

 on the tail but is otherwise like the southern puffer in size, habits, and appear- 

 ance. It replaces the southern puffer to the north and is found as far north 

 as Maine. 



The sharp-nosed puffer, Canthigaster rostratiis, is a tiny puffer of the coral 

 reefs. It swims alone or with other small reef fishes and is altogether a very 

 attractive and amusing fish as it bobs about among sea fans, gorgonians, and 

 coral. It reaches only about 4 to 5 inches and is West Indian. It is a soft brown 

 above and cream below, with dark lines radiating out from the eye. The tail fin 

 is black on the upper and lower edges. 



The Gulf puffer, Spheroides annidatus, is dark brown with light, curved 

 streaks on its back. The back is covered with small dark spots as well. It reaches 

 Wi feet and is found north to San Diego in summer. 



PORCUPINE FISHES: Family Diodontidae ' 



These extremely bizarre derivatives of puffers do not have their beaks divided 

 by a median suture and for this reason are named "Diodontidae" ("two-toothed")- 

 Their habits are very similar to those of puffers, and they are able to inflate 

 themselves to an equal degree. All of them are covered with stout spines which, 

 in some species, are long enough to inflict painful injury. The profile, as well 

 as the cross section, of these fishes is squarish, hence they are often referred to 

 as "boxfishes." Their flesh is reputed to be poisonous especially in the tropics. 

 Their distribution is world-wide in tropical seas. 



PORCUPINE fish: Diodon hystrix— Color Plate 9 



Size: Averages over 1 foot. Up to 3 feet. 



Distrihjition: Cosmopolitan in warm temperate and tropical seas. 



Identification: The yellowish color and long, dangerous spines separate this 

 fish from all others. 



Habits: This fish is dangerous to handle. The spines are not poisonous, but 

 they are erectile, very sharp, and capable of inflicting painful wounds. Their food, 

 like that of puffers, consists mostly of shellfish and crustaceans. Some oriental 

 people inflate the dried skins of these fishes and use them for lamps. 



Similar Sj?ecies: The spiny boxfish (swell toad), Chilomycterus schoeffi, has 

 broad short spines and wavy dark markings on its yellowish body. It is very 

 boxlike in shape. It reaches 10 inches and is the most northerly species of the 

 family, ranging to Cape Cod from its normal West Indian home. A rare West 

 Coast boxfish, Chilomycterus affinis, ranges north to San Pedro. It looks much 

 like the East Coast form. 



Mail-Cheeked Fishes: Suborder Loricati 



This suborder includes several families in which spiny-headed bottom fishes 

 predominate. All are voracious and carnivorous and usually have very stout 

 dorsal and anal fin spines. All have a hard and usually spiny bone running 



