Porcupine Puffer Fish

The porcupine puffer fish is similar to the porcupine fish in many ways. Read on to know more on puffer fish information, care and maintenance.

The porcupine puffer fish is one of the interesting and unique types of fish found in tropical oceans all around the world. These fish have a distinct appearance which them easy to recognize. The name porcupine puffer fish is often used interchangeably with the porcupine fish, which is incorrect. These two are names of two different species of fish belonging to the same family. Let us have a look at it in detail.

Porcupine Puffer Fish Information
In its usual or normal state, the porcupine puffer fish looks similar to a small baseball bat. It grows up to 12 inches (30 cms) in length and has a single dorsal fin. The spine of the porcupine puffer fish is lighter than that of the porcupine fish or the blowfish. The name of the fish itself speaks a lot about its physical characteristics. As the body of the fish is covered with sharp spines which, in some species, are even poisonous; it is known as a porcupine fish. Similarly, one of the distinct adaptations of the porcupine puffer fish is that it has an ability to inflate its body to almost double its size to protect itself from predators. As this fish is unable to swim faster, it has been gifted by this unique mechanism. When a predator attacks the porcupine puffer fish, the fish inflates its body by inhaling air or water which makes it grow larger in size and makes its spine protrude from its body. Other fish cannot grip or bite the inflated body of the puffer fish and hence, it is protected from its enemy.

Porcupine Puffer Care
These fish can be petted and kept in aquariums at home. However, they need special care and maintenance if you wish them to live a long and a healthy life. Firstly, the porcupine puffer fish inflate themselves immediately when they feel threatened and hence, it can be difficult to take them out of water or move them. In this case, you need to transfer them to a bag of water and later put them in an aquarium. Puffer fish, similar to the porcupine fish, are carnivores and feed on crustaceans. Their favorite food includes crabs, sea urchins, snails and mollusks. If you wish to keep these fish as pets, it is essential to know their compatibility with other fishes. Porcupine puffer fish compatibility with other fish is usually ambiguous. Sometimes, they may live cordially or sometimes they even turn aggressive. Wrasses and tangs, up to some extent, can be good porcupine puffer fish tank mates. However, it is better to keep porcupine puffer fish with the same species in an aquarium. Do not ever include any crustaceans in the aquarium alongside puffer fish as crustaceans are the latter's staple diet.

Porcupine Puffer Fish Facts
Here's some information as regards their taxonomy and general tips on how to rear them.

• Family: Diodontidae
• Order: Tetraodontiformes
• Scientific name: Diodon holacanthus
• Porcupine puffer fish are nocturnal creatures that hunt and feed at night whereas remain hiding in the crevices during the day.
• These fish are the non-threatened creatures in aquatic life.
• Puffer fish are poisonous and should not be consumed as it can result in death of the individual. However, in some parts of the world, these are eaten as delicacies where their poisonous parts are removed by trained chefs.
• Some of the species of puffer fish are also found in warm fresh waters.
• The exact form of reproduction and spawning habits of these fish are unknown. However, it is believed that the fertilized eggs hatch on the surface of the sea and only when they grow into small fish, they enter the reef.

Read more on blowfish facts.

The porcupine fish and the porcupine puffer fish are always amazing to watch because of their unique features. However, one should remember to take care of the fish and not let it get inflated frequently as it can harm the fish internally.