Ecology of Diodon holocanthus
 
Main Ref. Randall, J.E., 1967
Remarks Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 37816, 58534) to open shallow, soft bottoms. Occurs on open muddy substrates as well as on rich soft-bottom and coral reefs. Also in areas with rocky substrata. Young and sub-adults may form small groups (Ref. 48637). Juveniles pelagic to about 6-9 cm. Solitary. Feeds on mollusks, sea urchins, hermit crabs, shellfish and crabs at night (Ref. 9680, 54301). Mobile-invertebrate feeder (Ref. 57615, 57616). Sessile invertebrate feeder (Ref. 126840). A relatively poor swimmer (Ref. 9710). A relatively poor swimmer (Ref. 9710).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Diodon holocanthus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Soft Bottom: sand; mud; Hard Bottom: rocky;
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats Coral Reefs: lagoons; Other habitats: deep-water corals;
Special habitats Ref. Dominici-Arosemena, A. and M. Wolff, 2006

Associations

Ref.
Associations solitary; schooling;
Associated with Juveniles often with floating Sargassum rafts.
Association remarks Sometimes forms groups (Ref. 9710, 48637). Young and sub-adults may form small groups (Ref. 48637).
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Randall, J.E., 1967
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref. Randall, J.E., 1967
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 3.85 0.17 3.27 0.47 Troph of juv./adults from 1 study.
From individual food items 3.31 0.43 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Randall, J.E., 1967
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. cnidaria)
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