Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and filefishes) >
Diodontidae (Porcupinefishes (burrfishes))
Etymology: Chilomycterus: Greek, cheilos = lip + Greek, mykter, -eros = nose (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 100 m (Ref. 9680). Subtropical, preferred ?; - 24°S, 98°W - 34°W
Circumglobal: Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 69.7 cm NG male/unsexed; (Ref. 89467); common length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 26999)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 0;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 12-14;
Anal
spines: 0;
Anal
soft rays: 11 - 14. Adults grey to brown with a black gular band and small black spots on upper surfaces and fins; pelagic juveniles blue with dark spots above, the spots descending to belly (Ref. 4423).
Adults found in reefs and over soft bottoms to depths of 100 m, but may occur deeper in the tropics (Ref. 30573). Often found washed up on beaches. Known to brace themselves against the substrate to sleep at night (Ref. 4930). Appear to be active during the day. Juveniles often with floating weeds (Ref. 48637). Solitary. Juveniles pelagic in oceanic surface waters (Ref. 30573). Feed on hard-shelled invertebrates. Not usually marketed.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Leis, J.M., 2001. Diodontidae. Porcupine fishes (burrfishes). p. 3958-3965. In K.E. Carpenter and V. Niem (eds.) FAO species identification guide for fishery purposes. The living marine resources of the Western Central Pacific. Vol. 6. Bony fishes part 4 (Labridae to Latimeriidae), estuarine crocodiles. FAO, Rome. (Ref. 9680)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Venomous
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
More information
Common namesSynonymsMetabolismPredatorsEcotoxicologyReproductionMaturitySpawningFecundityEggsEgg development
ReferencesAquacultureAquaculture profileStrainsGeneticsAllele frequenciesHeritabilityDiseasesProcessingMass conversion
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Estimates of some properties based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82805): PD
50 = 0.5313 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.03090 (0.01293 - 0.07384), b=2.89 (2.68 - 3.10), in cm Total Length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic Level (Ref.
69278): 3.5 ±0.41 se; Based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
69278): .
Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (26 of 100) .
