background
tv schedule store
logo nav barDiscovery ChannelThe Learning Channel (TLC)Animal PlanetTravel ChannelDiscovery Health Channel
.com address
bottom
search top
site index
search
February 10, 2012
Marine Fish
send to a friend
printer friendly version

Porcupine Puffer
More Fish
Ready for the next puffer? Check out the Saddled Toby.

Back to Puffers & Related — Overview.

Open the Main Menu.

Porcupine Puffer
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

The Porcupine Puffer is also known as the 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 150 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.

Fish Facts
Name: Porcupine Puffer (Diodon hystrix)
Family: Diodontidae
Range: Global
Size: Up to 40 inches
Diet: Omnivore
Tank Set-up: Marine: Coral or rock, plants
Reef Compatible: No
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Minimum Tank Capacity: 150 gallon
Light: Medium
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Swimming Level: No specific level
Care Level: Moderate
Reproduction: Egg Scatterer
advertisement

Picture(s): Courtesy of Drs. Foster and Smith |
Information provided courtesy of PetEducation.com

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS

Discovery Channel | TLC | Animal Planet | Discovery Health | Science Channel | Planet Green
Discovery Kids | Military Channel | Discovery News | Investigation Discovery | HD Theater | Turbo | FitTV

HowStuffWorks | TreeHugger | Petfinder | PetVideo | Discovery Education

Visit the Discovery Store: Toys & Games | Telescopes | DVD Sets | Planet Earth DVD | Gift Ideas

By visiting this site, you agree to the terms and conditions
of our Visitor Agreement. Please read. Privacy Policy.
ATTENTION! We recently updated our privacy policy. The changes are effective as of September 10, 2008.
To see the new policy, click here. Questions? See the policy for the contact information.

Copyright © 2012 Discovery Communications, LLC.

The leading global real-world media and entertainment company.