Porcupine Puffer © Shedd Aquarium
Porcupine Puffers, also known as globefish, blowfish, balloon fish, and toadfish, are classified under the Family Diodontidae and the Genus Diodon. Its full scientific
name is Diodon Holacanthus. Porcupine Puffers live mainly among coral reefs
in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Puffers are nocturnal, so you are
more likely to see them out at night searching for food. The eat mostly clams,
small squids, and sea-urchins.
They eat mostly clams, small squids, and sea-urchins. Porcupine Puffers are mostly brownish in color and grow up to 12 inches. It has
a fan-like dorsal fin, and also scattered black or brown spots. They use inflating
as a defense mechanism. When scared or harmed, puffers with inflate their body
by gulping water. Another characteristic of Porcupine puffers is that their
skin, intestines, gonads, and liver contain a deadly poison called detradotoxin.
Despite being poison, they are still eaten in many Asian cultures, but must
be prepared by highly skilled chefs so there is no poison in your food.
