Porcupine Puffer

When in danger, the porcupine puffer swallows water, inflates like a ball and raises the long spines on its body. With its big eyes and "smiling" face it quickly bonds with its keeper. Its beige body has dark blotches and spots. In the aquarium it reaches 30–40 cm. Toxin warning: Like pufferfish, it carries tetrodotoxin in its internal organs; it is not edible. Do not take the fish out of the water; inflating by swallowing air can be fatal.

• At least 700 liters; a large open swimming area and a sturdy rock layout.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.020–1.025, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C; because it is a messy eater, a strong filter and a protein skimmer.
• Not reef-safe: It eats shrimp, crabs, snails, sea urchins and Tridacna clams.
• Because of its scaleless skin it is sensitive to copper treatment.

Carnivorous. Shrimp in the shell, mussels, oysters, crabs, krill and squid. Hard-shelled foods wear down its constantly growing beak; if it is fed only soft food, the beak overgrows and prevents feeding. Adults are fed once a day.

Usually calm towards other fish and more active at night. It eats small fish that fit in its mouth and all shelled invertebrates. Fin-nipping species wear it down.

Good companions: In a large aquarium, tangs, large angelfish, foxface, large wrasses, moray eels.

Avoid: Small fish, all invertebrates, fin-nipping triggerfish, reefs with corals.