Dicotylichthys punctatus Kaup 1855

The Three-bar Porcupinefish, Dicotylichthys punctatus, is dark greyish on top and lighter on the sides. It has three dark bars along the sides of the body, the first below the eye. There are small black spots and spines all over the body, which is approximately square in cross section. The fish in the picure right is being groomed by a pair of cleaner wrasse.
The three-bar porcupinefish has big eyes and always seems to have a smile on its face. The teeth are fused to form a single plate on each jaw.
They can use water or air to inflate their bodies. This can be used as a defence mechanism but is not always successful. This species has an unusual swim bladder.