Porcupine Pufferfish

Porcupine pufferfish (Diodon holocanthus) are a medium-to-large-sized fish famous for their ability to swallow water so that it inflates. They are usually light grey and mottled with sharp spines across their bodies, giving them the look of a porcupine.

As well as being called porcupine pufferfish, they’re sometimes called balloonfish, blowfish, or globefish because of their spherical bodies when inflated.

Where do porcupine pufferfish live?

Porcupine pufferfish are usually found in shallow reefs of up to 35m in waters across the world, including the Bahamas, Australia, and Florida. For safety reasons, pufferfish tend to be found hiding in coral and caves, so that they don’t have to use their defence mechanism unnecessarily.

Young porcupine puffers tend to seek refuge in the safety of seaweed where they can hide effectively from predators.

Because of their mediocre swimming ability, they don’t tend to venture very far from the safety of reefs in fear that they might be swept away by strong currents.

How to identify a porcupine pufferfish

A porcupine pufferfish is easily identified by its large eyes, beautiful sandy colour, the spines that dot its round body and, of course, its remarkable ability to expand when threatened.

The fish’s large eyes are an adaptation that allows it to see better at night because it is a primarily nocturnal fish.

This species is typically around 15cm long, but they have been recorded as large as 50cm in exceptional cases.

A pufferfish’s teeth may also give it away. Its four teeth, two on top and two on the bottom, never stop growing. The teeth also fuse to give a beak-like appearance.

Unique defence mechanism

Now onto the most fascinating part of the porcupine pufferfish, its miraculous ability to swallow air and water to expand into a ballon shape!

When they feel threatened, pufferfish swallow air or water, which fills their stomach to expand their size to make themselves less appetising to potential predators, not only because of their size but their sharp spikes that stick out when they inflate.

Fun facts about porcupine pufferfish

It’s not just the remarkable defence mechanism though, there’s a lot more to this fish than meets the eye. Here are some more fun facts about porcupine pufferfish!

They enjoy a crunchy meal

Porcupine pufferfish use their beak-like teeth to enjoy a crunchy diet of crustaceans such as crabs and shellfish such as sea urchins.

Porcupine pufferfish are poisonous

It’s not just their size and spikes that deter predators, they’re also poisonous. A porcupine pufferfish makes a really nasty meal for any other fish, meaning they don’t have many natural predators.

They aren’t good swimmers

The strange shape and small fins of a porcupine pufferfish combine to make it a poor swimmer. Luckily, their defence mechanisms make it so that they don’t have to avoid predators, and their natural habitats have relatively calm waters.

They can camouflage

Porcupine pufferfish can blend into their surroundings, making it harder for predators to spot them. This natural camouflage is another crucial defence strategy that helps them avoid confrontation with predators.

Typically solitary creatures

Porcupine pufferfish generally prefer their solitude, preferring to navigate the ocean alone. However, during the mating season, they have been observed in small groups, coming together for the purpose of reproduction.

Where to see porcupine pufferfish at Blue Reef Newquay Aquarium

At Blue Reef Newquay Aquarium you can witness the fascinating porcupine pufferfish in not just one, but two of our different exhibits. You can find these intriguing creatures in the main ocean exhibit, where they might show off their unique defence mechanisms.

There’s also a juvenile porcupine pufferfish in the tropical room’s D Tank, giving you a better chance of seeing this fish in a smaller exhibit.

That concludes our exploration of this brilliant, ballooning fish! If you’d like to see the porcupine pufferfish up close, be sure to book your tickets now! We can’t wait to see you!