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Longspine Porcupinefish

Diodon holocanthus

Longspine Porcupinefish

Diodon holocanthus
Other Common Names
Porcupine Pufferfish, Freckled porcupinefish, Long-spine balloonfish
At the Aquarium
Connected Coasts
Other Common Names
Porcupine Pufferfish, Freckled porcupinefish, Long-spine balloonfish

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

Upwards of 20 inches in length. Light sandy color with darker brown splotches. Body is covered with long spines. The teeth of the longspine porcupinefish are fused together and resemble a bird’s beak.

Habitat

Coral reefs, rocky reefs, young longspine porcupinefish live in floats of seaweed

Diet

Various small shellfish, notably urchins and crabs

Life History

Eggs are released into the ocean. After hatching small larval fish drift with the currents until they mature into adult longspine porcupinefish. Juveniles hide in floats and masses of seaweed until they reach maturity and move into reefs.

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Porcupinefish appear in the media as a common tropical oceanfish. Most notably as the driving instructor of Spongebob Squarepants.

By eating shellfish and later being eaten by larger fish they can create an important link in their food chain.
Range
Sub tropical waters
On the Oregon Coast
This animal is not native to the Oregon Coast, however is found in the larger Pacific Ocean. It lives in the Aquarium as part of our Connected Coasts gallery.
Fun Facts
Much like their reputation, the longspine porcupinefish is able to puff up! By swallowing large amounts of water it is able to swell its body which pushes out its spines for self defense.

Citations & Other Resources

  • Leis, J.L., Matsuura, K., Shao, K.-T., Hardy, G., Zapfe, G., Liu, M., Jing, L., Tyler, J. & Robertson, R. 2015. Diodon holocanthus (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T193817A115332473. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T193817A2282138.en. Accessed on 19 March 2026.
  • Toshiaki F. W. Hamaura, A. Takemura, K. Takano. 1997. Histological Observations of Annual Reproductive Cycle and Tidal Spawning Rhythm in the Female Porcupine Fish Diodon holocanthus. Fisheries Science 63:5 715-720.
  • Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2025.FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 11/2025 )
  • Species: Diodon holocanthus, Freckled porcupinefish, Long-spine balloonfish. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. https://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/sftep/en/thefishes/species/1594
  • Lucano-Ramírez G, Peña-Pérez E, Ruiz-Ramírez S, Rojo-Vázquez J, González-Sansón G. Reproducción del pez erizo, Diodon holocanthus (Pisces: Diodontidae) en la plataforma continental del Pacífico Central Mexicano [Reproduction of the spiny puffer, Diodon holocanthus (Pisces: Diodontidae) in the continental shelf of Mexican Central Pacific]. Rev Biol Trop. 2011 Mar;59(1):217-32. Spanish. PMID: 21516647.
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Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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