Hawaiian Fishes 



371 



THE PORCUPINE FISH FAMILY 



133 Family Diodontidae 



The family of the porcupine fishes is a small group of square or 

 spherical-shaped fishes in which the bodies are covered with two-rooted 

 or three-rooted spines. They are in general sluggish fishes, living in 

 shallow water among sea weeds and coral heads. Like the balloon fishes, 

 they are able to puff up by taking either air or water into their bodies. 



They are rarely used as food and are regarded as poisonous, especially 

 in the tropics. 



Of about fifteen known species, only three are known from the 

 Hawaiian Islands. 



Common Porcupine Fish 



Also known as the Oopu Okala 

 133-1 Diodon hystrix Linne 



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From Jordan & Evermann 



This porcupine fish is dark mottled brown in color above and is 

 spotted with black. Their bodies are covered with spines like the other 

 members of their family. They reach a length of about two feet. 



They are sluggish fishes, relying on their spines for their protection. 

 They appear to be most common about beds of sea weeds and are often 

 taken on hook and line. 



This porcupine fish is distributed from India, through Melanesia, 

 Micronesia, and Polynesia as far as the Hawaiian Islands. 



Lesser Porcupine Fish 



133-2 Diodon holocanthiis Linne 

 This porcupine fish resembles the common species except that the 

 spines on the front of the head are longer. 



