Description

Porcupine Puffer

These fish are found in shallow temperate and tropical seas worldwide. A few species are found much further out from shore, wherein large schools of thousands of individuals can occur.

Porcupine fish, or porcupine puffers, have the ability to inflate their bodies by swallowing water or air, thereby becoming rounder. This increase in size (almost double vertically) reduces the range of potential predators to those with much bigger mouths. A second defense mechanism is provided by the sharp spines, which radiate outwards when the fish is inflated.

Scientific name: Diodon holocanthus

Origin: Caribbean

Maximum Size: 12 inches

Approx. Shipping Size: small 2 1/2 -3 inches, medium 3-4 inches large 5-6 inches