porcupine fish
noun
: any of several bony fishes (family Diodontidae) that have sharp spines covering the body and inflate themselves into a sphere when threatened
especially
: a spotted chiefly tropical fish (Diodon hystrix) that is olive to brown above with white below
Examples of porcupine fish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This X-ray image shows a porcupine fish in its defensive posture--filled with water or air and deploying sharp spikes--and then in its normal, relaxed state.
—
Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010
Dictionary Entries Near porcupine fish
Cite this Entry
“Porcupine fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porcupine%20fish. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share