Spotfin Burrfish
Pez Erizo Enano
(Chilomycterus reticulatus)

Spotfin Burrfish, Chilomycterus reticulatus: The Spotfin Burrfish is characterized by its overall gray coloration and very white belly, with black dots scattered on its head, body, and the fins of mature adults.

The anal and dorsal fins of the Spotfin Burrfish are posterior and the caudal fin has 10 rays. It has very large eyes that appear disproportionate to its overall size. The head and body of the Spotfin Burrfish is covered with short immovable spines that are the tips of plates embedded just under the skin (see second photo below).

A key characteristic of the Spotfin Burrfish is that there are ten spines between the snout and the caudal fin in a straight line. There are two dark vertical lines, the first just in front of the eyes and the second just in front of the pectoral fins.

The Spotfin Burrfish is very similar to the Pelagic Porcupinefish, Diodon eydouxii (dark blue with greater than 20 spines between the snout and caudal fin), and the Spotfin Porcupinefish, Diodon hystrix (much longer spines).

Juvenile Spotfin Burrfish, to 8 inches, are pelagic. Adults become stationary and are found around coral and rocky reefs in shaded, protected recesses in the first 350 feet of the water column. The Spotfin Burrfish reaches a maximum length of 30 inches and 5 pounds.

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

In Mexican fishing waters the Spotfin Burrfish is omnipresent with the exception that it is absent from the upper half of the Sea of Cortez.

The Spotfin Burrfish is a member of the Diodontidae Family which includes the Pufferfish, which are known in Mexico fishing areas as peces erizo and locally as botete.

The Puffers are covered with spines and have the ability to blow themselves up like balloons, presumably as a defense mechanism. The majority contain tetrodotoxin, a potent toxin found in the skin, viscera and gonads that also provides an additional level of protection against predators. The puffers do not have pelvic fins. They have formidable, strong, beak-like teeth that allows feasting on a wide variety of species that includes the crown-of-thorns starfish and sea urchins. Globally there are six members of the Chilomycterus Genus but only one resides in Mexican waters.

Note: Like many puffers, the Spotfin Burrfish is reputed to be highly poisonous, even fatal, if eaten, due to the presence of tetrodotoxin.

Spotfin Burrfish Fish picture 1

Spotfin Burrfish Fish picture 2

Spotfin Burrfish, Chilomycterus reticulatus: A rare catch, made while fishing with Capt. Pata in the panga Salomé, in 72-degree, 60-foot deep water, in April 2007, on cut squid bait utilizing traditional bottom gear, 20 miles north of La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size, approximately 30 inches and 5 pounds, and a non-fighter. The second fish pictured was a beach collection illustrating the unique subdermal spine network. These fish are capable of inflating into a symmetrical ball approximately the size of their length which for a 30-inch fish is simply enormous. Description and photos courtesy of John Snow.

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