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Home > Marine Fish > Puffers > Porcupine Puffer
Porcupine Puffer (Diodon holocanthus)
Porcupine Puffer
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Porcupine Puffer (Diodon holocanthus)
Additional locales and sizes may be available!
Additional locales and sizes may be available!

Quick Stats

Care Level Moderate
Temperament Semi-aggressive
Color Form Black, Tan, Yellow
Diet Omnivore
Reef Compatible No
Water Conditions sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size 1'
Family Diodontidae
Minimum Tank Size 180 gallons
Compatibility View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Care Level Moderate
Temperament Semi-aggressive
Color Form Black, Tan, Yellow
Diet Omnivore
Reef Compatible No
Water Conditions sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size 1'
Family Diodontidae
Minimum Tank Size 180 gallons
Compatibility View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information

Overview

The Porcupine Puffer is also known as the Porcupinefish, Longspined porcupinefish or Porcupine Pufferfish. It has spiny appendages which cover most of its body, which may vary from light gray to mottled tans, sometimes with dark spots. Its teeth are actually a fused beak-like structure. The Porcupine Puffer lacks pelvic fins but has learned to use the pectoral fins to move about.

A 180 gallon or larger, fish-only aquarium with a good protein skimmer is a suitable home. It may be aggressive at times, nipping the fins of tank mates and leaving a circular hole as its mark. It will eat invertebrates found in a reef aquarium. It has the ability, when threatened or scared, to inflate its body to almost twice its normal size. Parts of its flesh are poisonous if digested.

The Porcupine Puffer needs a varied diet of meaty foods including; squid, krill, clams, and hard shelled shrimp to help wear down their ever growing teeth.

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Small/Medium: 2" to 3"; Medium: 3" to 4"; Medium/Large: 4" to 5"; Large: 5" to 6"

Customer Testimonials

Daniel & Megan H Kalamazoo , MI
First things first, this is our FAVORITE fish. They have so much personality, and are such a joy to watch. We currently have two in a 75-gallon reef tank. One is an adult and the other is a juvenile. They do not disturb any of the corals but they will eat some snails and hermit crabs occasionally if they aren't fed on time. They are extremely hardy and happy. The little one even survived being stuck to the powerhead overnight. It did get sick and took about three weeks to recover, but now he's back to normal and enjoys staring at us as much as we enjoy staring at him. The adult knows us and will let us pet him, and we hand feed both of them. I'll say it again, we LOVE our Porcupine Puffers and they are such fun to have. 
Pamela V Lago Vista , TX
My Puffer is intelligent, peaceful and has personality along with a hearty appetite. It recognizes the hand that feeds it. It will swim up to the glass when it sees me during the day and lets me know when it's feeding time by hovering in one spot near the tank's front surface looking directly at me. This is a great fish for a big tank with non-aggressive tank mates.  
Ryan T New York , NY
This fish is what got me in to the hobby. When I first saw its sparkling blue eyes I knew I had to have one. They are very intelligent and have quite a personality. Mine always gets up and "greets" me when I come home, and "follows" me around the room. This puffer fish is like having a dog - it recognizes you and will even let you pet it. I highly recommend this puffer.
Vincent P Revere , MA
The puffer fish is an absolute must for any hobbyist or even beginner with a tank over 90 gallons. I have had my Puffer "Biggie" for over three years and he is awesome, I recommend frozen prawns, fresh shrimp, and mine also loves Jumbo Min food sticks by Tetra, especially when frozen food isn't available for feeding. My puffer knows me by look and they are excellent fish for children because they will get to know the children as they feed the fish and grow up with it.
Pete M Howell , NJ
This is the most personable fish that I have ever seen. It will look at you while you look at him. He will eat out of your hand if you wish. My favorite fish. They are peaceful but can hold its own with any fish.
Crystal P Eden Valley , MN
My puffer is my favorite fish and he is very friendly and aware of his surroundings. If you get one watch your water temp VERY closely, because this puffer can get a bad case of ICH if it gets stressed. THEY ARE WONDERFUL FISH, and you'll never regret having one.
Hunter B Charlevoix , MI
My porcupine puffer is one of my favorite fish. He is extremely intelligent and will watch me as much as I watch him. He will very quickly recognize the person who feeds him. This fish is extremely hardy once acclimated to its home. Mine eats a ton and it gets along with my emperor angel, long-nose hawkfish, clown fish, my clown trigger, blue tang, damsel, lion fish, and believe it or not my goby. If your looking for a neat fish look no further.
Justin W Long Island , NY
The Porcupine Puffer is the best puffer one could have. Mine, "Puff Daddy", is extremely lively and has a great personality. He gets along well with my Lionfish and Damsels. Snails and hermits flee but he is very friendy. I would recommend this puffer to anybody.
Melissa M Peoria , AZ
Turbo, as he is affectionately named, is our family's favorite fish. He engages with anyone who walks by the tank, but he prefers to "smile" at known family members. He will swim back and forth with his mouth open and his eyes wide open. What a wonderful, social fish! He is definitely our social butterfly. He is also quite a "pig" in the tank. He will eat food out of others' mouths. I highly recommend this fish for any FOWLR tank.
Matthew A Jackson , MS
Cute and eats right out of my hand, squirts water at me when he is hungry, and follows me around the room. Five stars and I recommend this fish to everyone!!!!!!
C R Cincinnati , OH
I LOVE this fish! He has so much personality. I didn't think a fish could actually have personality traits of a dog but this one does. When I come in the room, he rushes to the front of the tank and follows me back and forth waiting for me to feed him. I actually purchased this Yellow Porcupine Puffer in early September from Divers Den - he arrived healthy and happy with a great appetite. DF&S is a great place to get your marine life, I will definitely purchase again.
Matthew S Rochester , MN
Got mine last week. Absolutely stunning and gets along with everything and one that was in the tank before. Loves loves eating frozen krill and frozen cubed foods. Just a joy to watch.
Max P Chicago , IL
Mine is one of my favorite fish. He has so much personality and even puffed up once. His name is spike and he even lets you pet him. I would recommend him to any one who is thinking of getting one.
Kirk Y New Milford , NJ
I have owned all kings of marine fish, Black Tip Sharks, Lemon Tip, Leopard, Stingrays, Look Downs, etc. but none of them have the personality of this fish. He almost looks like he is looking for me to come see him and always looks happy. By far the happiest and most personality fish I ever had and he now eats out of my kids hands.
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