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Freckled Porcupinefish
Diodon holocanthus
The Freckled porcupinefish is a medium sized puffer fish that lives in shallow water and/or tropical seas around the world. When in danger, puffer fish inflate themselves to scare predators with the poisonous spikes on their bodies.
Range & Habitat
In the Wild: Sub-tropical and tropical waters in Africa, Asia, Oceania, South America, Central and North America.
At the Zoo: USS Antiquities, Shark Tank
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Freckled Porcupinefish are suffering from water pollution, habitat loss due to climate change and fishing for human consumption.
Diet
In the Wild: sea urchins, hard-shelled invertebrates like shrimp, crabs, urchins, snails and clams.
At the Zoo: krill, scallops, shrimp, smelt, flounder, squid and specialized fish gel (Krill is the favorite)
Life Span
In the Wild – 10 years; In Human Care – 10 years, if taken care of properly.
Fun Facts about the Freckled Porcupinefish
- Freckled porcupinefish can recognize feeders and often behave like dogs, swimming to the top of their tanks to await food. They are ranked as one of the "smart" fish, with a higher-than-average intelligence.
- As an adult, the freckled porcupinefish has few natural predators due to its large size, toxicity, and ability to inflate.
Sources
www.greensboroscience.org/attractions/sciquarium/animals/.../Porcupine%20Fish.pdf
www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=244
http://www.underwaterasia.info/reef-spotter/porcupine-puffer.php
http://www.beautifuloceans.com/index.php?view=article&catid=27:caribbean-creatures&id=231:porcupinefish-diodon-hystrix&format=pdf
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989418300076
Liu, J., Zapfe, G., Shao, K.-T., Leis, J.L., Matsuura, K., Hardy, G., Liu, M., Robertson, R. & Tyler, J. 2015. Diodon hystrix (errata version published in 2016). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T193668A97664783. Downloaded on 02 December 2020.
Diodon holocanthus. (2018, April 30). Retrieved December 03, 2020, from https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/diodon-holocanthus/
Updated June 13, 2023
Location:
Aquariums
