![]() The caudal fin is used primarily for steering, but is brought into play if a sudden burst of speed is needed. These fish are generally slow swimmers, propelling themselves mostly with undulating dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins. The juveniles may be over 450 days, at a length of 6-9 cm (2.3-3.5 in), before they migrate from their pelagic home, sometimes in huge schools, to the inshore areas where they will settle and grow into adults. The time that juveniles leave their open-water, near surface habitat, may vary depending upon location. By three weeks after hatching the fins and teeth have formed and the larva is well on its way to becoming a juvenile. Hatched larvae are well developed, exhibiting mouth, eyes, and swim bladder. The eggs float for about four days until they hatch. The males slowly push the females toward the water surface where both immediately spawn. Their fused teeth are designed to impose heavy crushing forces and as might be expected their diet consists primarily of a variety of mollusks, mostly gastropods, and other hard-shelled animals such as sea urchins and crabs, especially hermit crabs. Most of their feeding takes place at night. These fish generally range in length from 20-35 cm (8-14 in), but may grow to 50 cm (20 in). These spines are actually modified scales. ![]() Probably the most impressive feature is the long, sturdy, very sharp spines that normally lie flat on the body surface but stick straight out when the fish inflates its body with water or air. An identifying characteristic is a brown patch above and below each eye. The background color varies from tan to light brown with darker brown blotches scattered over its body and with black spots interspersed. Its eyes are large and set well forward on the head. The face is flat except for the protrusive lips that are supported by large, fused, front teeth that form a heavy beak-like structure. ![]() Its body is robust, round in cross section with the head and most of the body the same diameter tapering to the caudal peduncle and relatively small caudal fin. Physical CharacteristicsĪ uniquely shaped fish, this species, along with many other puffer species, might be described as a football with a tail. Juveniles maintain an open-water, near surface habitat, frequently taking shelter in rafts of sargassum or other types of seaweed. Mostly a relatively shallow water fish, they have been reported to a depth of 200 m (656 ft). HabitatĪdults of this species tend to prefer coral and rocky reefs, mangrove areas, and muddy, sandy and grassy flats. Canada to Brazil including Florida, Gulf of Mexico, east coast of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. Geographic DistributionĮast and west coast of Africa, through the Indo-Pacific region, Japan, Australia, Equatorial Islands, Hawaiian and Easter Islands, Southern California, Gulf of California, to Colombia and the Galapagos Islands. This fish can be found in the Aquarium’s Gulf of California exhibit in the Southern California/Baja Gallery on the second floor. ![]() SPECIES IN DETAIL Balloonfish (Spiny Porcupinefish)ĬLIMATE CHANGE: Not Applicable At the Aquarium
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