Bridled Burrfish

Chilomycterus antennatus

What a treat to find this unusual fish. He was just lazing around in about 5 feet of water. A member of the Porcupinefish family whose spines are always erect. They have the typical iridescent green pupil but with specks and the iris is gold with black dots. Their body patches can change colors along with their base color. See pictures. body that is basic white turns brown the dark borders on the patches turns from black to white and the patches themselves turn from green to chocolate brown.  Their bodies aren't built for speed, but their talent for camouflage and the arsenal of spines combine to make a great defense against predators.   I didn't try and approach too closely so he tolerated my visit for about five minutes, then slowly retreated to a den in the reef.