Jeffords, Jeffrey
Identification
Cyclichthys orbicularis (Birdbeak burrfish)
Location
Luzon Island, Philippines
Caption
Closely related to pufferfish (family Tetraodontidae), the Rounded porcupinefish is one of the smaller of around 20 porcupinefish species (family Diodontidae), growing to only about seven or eight inches. The large eyes are well-adapted for night vision, when this species is most likely to be encountered. If threatened, this fish inflates itself by gulping water until it gradually becomes spherical in shape, completely rigid with its large, stiff spines pointed outward to prevent swallowing by potential predators. In addition to forcing the spines to point outward, the inflation of its body presents a larger appearance to help discourage predators.
- Subject
- Live Animal
- Type
- Photo
- Life Stages And Gender
- Adult/Sexually Mature
- Anatomy
- Sexual
- Behaviors
- Locomotion :: Swimming
- Anatomy
- Body Parts :: Eyes
- Anatomy
- Coloration/Patterning :: Cryptic
- Behaviors
- Communication :: Aggressive Display
Contributors
Jeffrey N. Jeffords (photographer; copyright holder; identification)
Conditions of Use
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.