Scientific Name
Dicotylichthys punctulatus

Common Name
Three-barred porcupinefish

Biology
Found in estuarine, coastal and offshore reefs to a depth of 50 m. Nocturnal and solitary. Feeds on hard-shelled invertebrates. Not usually marketed.

Classification

Classified By

Kaup, 1855

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Puffers and Filefishes (Tetraodontiformes)

Family

Porcupinefishes (burrfishes) (Diodontidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Pacific

Distribution

Western Pacific: Moreton Bay to Bass Strait in Australia.

Range

27°S - 40°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

50 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range ? - 50 m (Ref. 9680)

Trophic Level

3.5 s.e. 0.37 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

40.0 cm

Common Length

18.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (39 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated