Black Blotched Porcupinefish

Spines short (Ref. 1602). Several yellow-edged dark blotches on body (Ref. 559). D. liturosus differs from D. hystrix by its shorter spines and color (Ref. 37816).Description: Characterized further by Brown body color grading to white ventrally; dark blotches on back, on side and below eye; numerous, short erectile spines on head and body, spines on forehead shorter than behind pectoral fins, non wholly on caudal peduncle; 16-21 spines from snout to base of dorsal fin (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 14 - 16

Inhabits reef edges and slopes (Ref. 6113). Hides in caves and ledges during the day and forages at night. Solitary. Feeds on crustaceans and molluscs (Ref. 9680).

Inhabits reef edges and slopes (Ref. 6113, 48637). Hides in caves and ledges during the day and forages at night (Ref. 9680). Also found below plate-corals during the day and often deep, ranging to at least 40 meters depth. Juveniles occur in lagoons and estuaries (Ref. 48637). Solitary. Feeds on crustaceans and mollusks. Not usually marketed (Ref. 9680).

fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: unknown; price reliability: