Chilomycterus antennatus (Cuvier, 1816)
Bridled burrfish
Chilomycterus antennatus
photo by Pialek, L.

Family:  Diodontidae (Porcupinefishes (burrfishes))
Max. size:  38 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 13 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: southeastern Florida, USA and the Bahamas to northern South America. Eastern Atlantic: off Mauritania (Ref. 5377).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal soft rays: 11-12. Spines on head and body short, fixed, and with a fleshy sheath, those on sides and top of body more vertically erect; 10 to 12 spines in an approximate row from snout to dorsal fin; a long fleshy tentacle above eye; small black spots on head and body but not on fins (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  Occurs usually on or near coral reefs (Ref. 7251). Rare, most often found from seagrass beds (Ref. 13442).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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