Dicotylichthys

Dicotylichthys
Photographed in Manly, Sydney
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Tetraodontiformes
Family:	Diodontidae
Genus:	Dicotylichthys Kaup, 1855
Species:	D. punctulatus
Binomial name
Dicotylichthys punctulatus Kaup, 1855

Dicotylichthys punctulatus, also known as the three-bar porcupinefish, is a species of porcupinefish endemic to the east coast of Australia, where it is found in coastal and offshore reef environments down to 50 m (160 ft) deep.^[1] This species grows to 40 cm (16 in) in standard length, although most only reach 18 cm (7.1 in). This species is the only known member of the genus Dicotylichthys.^[2]

Description

This species grow to 43 cm in length

Distribution and habitat

They are mainly found in western Pacific ocean around Moreton Bay to Bass Strait in Australia.

Ecology

Found in estuarine, coastal and offshore reefs to a depth of 50 m. Nocturnal and solitary. Feeds on hard-shelled invertebrates.^[3]

References

1. McGrouther, Mark (2019-01-11). "Threebar Porcupinefish, Dicotylichthys punctulatus Kaup, 1855". The Australian Museum. Archived from the original on 2020-08-28. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
2. Matsuura, K. (2014): Taxonomy and systematics of tetraodontiform fishes: a review focusing primarily on progress in the period from 1980 to 2014. Ichthyological Research, 62 (1): 72-113.
3. "Dicotylichthys punctulatus, Three-barred porcupinefish". www.fishbase.se. Retrieved 2024-07-15.

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