Spotted Porcupinefish
Diodon hystrix
The spotted porcupinefish is a large, slow-moving reef fish that inflates when threatened and is covered in stout spines. It is most often encountered around coral reefs, lagoons, and rocky areas in warm seas worldwide.
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Identification points
- Rounded, balloon-like body that can inflate dramatically
- Dense covering of long, movable spines visible even when not inflated
- Dark spots scattered over a pale yellow to brown body, with large eyes and a small beak-like mouth
Habitat
Warm tropical and subtropical marine reefs, reef slopes, lagoons, seagrass beds, and sheltered rocky areas; often near caves and ledges by day.
Bait notes
Not a standard game fish. If targeted or incidentally hooked, small pieces of shrimp, squid, crab, or cut bait can take it; small jigs or bottom baits may also hook one near reef structure.
Behavior
Mostly nocturnal and sluggish by day, it forages at night on hard-shelled prey such as mollusks, crustaceans, and sea urchins. It uses inflation and raised spines as defense and is usually solitary.
Caution
Do not handle with bare hands: the skin and spines can injure, and the fish can inflate. Some puffers carry tetrodotoxin, so do not eat unless local experts and regulations confirm it is safe and legal.
Fishing notes
Use light-to-medium reef tackle and fish slowly on the bottom near coral heads, ledges, or sandy edges at dusk or night. Handle minimally and with a landing tool; avoid snagging it on sharp reef structure if releasing.