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The giant porcupinefish is one of the biggest porcupinefishes, commonly about 16 in (40 cm) long and sometimes up to 3 ft (91 cm), and when threatened it gulps water, puffs up, and raises its spines. In US waters it lives along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, off San Diego, and around Hawaii. It is also called the spot-fin porcupinefish.

Appearance

Appearance
Sandy beige to yellowish with many small black spots, including on the fins, plus a few darker blotches. The spines are modified scales, and it has big bulging eyes and a large mouth.

Look-alikes

Spiny porcupinefishDiodon holocanthus

The spiny porcupinefish has no black spots on its dorsal and tail fins, while the giant porcupinefish has small black spots on almost every fin.

Why they get mixed upA close relative found in many of the same US waters, with the same shape and spines.

Striped burrfishChilomycterus schoepfii

The striped burrfish has short, blunt spines that stay fixed in place, irregular dark stripes on its back and sides, and tops out around 10 in (25 cm). The giant porcupinefish has long, movable spines and is covered in small black spots.

Why they get mixed upAnother spiny puffer of US Atlantic waters, reaching as far north as Cape Cod.

Where it lives

Typical habitats
  • Coral reefs
  • Lagoons
  • Reef caves and ledges
Range
Found in warm seas around the world. In the western Atlantic it occurs from Massachusetts and Bermuda through the northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil; in the eastern Pacific, from San Diego, California, to Chile. It is also native to Hawaii, where it is known as kōkala.
Preferred conditions
Adults live on lagoon and outer reefs, usually 10–65 ft (3–20 m) deep and sometimes down to about 165 ft (50 m), hiding in caves and holes by day. Young fish up to about 8 in (20 cm) drift in open water.

Behavior

Diet
Hard-shelled invertebrates such as sea urchins, sea snails, clams, and hermit crabs.
Activity
Mostly nocturnal and solitary.

Life cycle

Lifespan
One fish lived 10 years in an aquarium, reaching about 27 in (69 cm).

Cautions

Cautions
Its liver, gonads, and internal organs hold , a powerful poison, so it is considered unsafe to eat.

Conservation

IUCN Red List
LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

Culture and stories

Culture and stories
  • It turns up in the aquarium trade and as a sport fish, but it is not normally used as food.

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Giant Porcupinefish (Diodon hystrix) — identification, habitat & look-alikes | Moeyo