Diodon holocanthus
| Identification | Its coloration is brownish overall with mottled brown and black spotting. It also has medium to long spines which remain somewhat flat against the body unless the animal has inflated itself to scare away potential predators. |
|---|---|
| Maximum Length | Attaining a length of approximately 34-36 inches, this species will eventually outgrow any smaller aquarium environment |
| Origin | Circum-tropical |
| Minimum Tank Size | 75 Gal. |
| Reef Compatibility | The Porcupine Puffer is not recommended for the marine reef aquarium because it will devour ornamental crustaceans and shrimp and may pick at the reef structure itself. |
Behavior
Comical and personable. May be kept in groups or alone. This species is nocturnal and may spend most of the day hiding under a ledge or crevice. Generally this species is peaceful, not bothering other aquarium fish. It usually is not as active as some of the other related species, spending a great deal of its time resting at the bottom of the tank or on aquarium decorations. This species will also eat a large amount of food, thus creating a large amount of waste particularly as it grows in size. As a result, the aquarist will want a well filtered aquarium in order to dispose of this additional waste material.
Diet & Feeding
This species is a hardy aquarium species feeding on a variety of meatier foods such as krill, scallop, and mollusk
Cautions
May nip fishes in its tank and may attempt to consume smaller, active fishes. Refrain from provoking it well known ability to inflate, as air can become trapped and cause death.