{"product_id":"longspine-porcupine-puffer-diodon-holocanthus-saltwater","title":"Longspine Porcupine Puffer (Diodon holocanthus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Longspine Porcupine Puffer (\u003cem\u003eDiodon holocanthus\u003c\/em\u003e) is an expressive saltwater showpiece with watchful eyes, a powerful beak, and a curious personality. This intelligent fish quickly learns its feeding routine and becomes a memorable centerpiece in a properly sized fish-only aquarium. Explore more marine livestock and supplies in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003eSalt Water collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FFF8E1;border-left:4px solid #F9A825;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlan for the adult, not the juvenile.\u003c\/strong\u003e Longspine Porcupine Puffers can approach 20 inches in nature and need a spacious aquarium of about 180 gallons or larger. They are not reef safe and will eat shrimp, crabs, snails, urchins, and other invertebrates.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use an established 180 gallon or larger fish-only system with secure rockwork, caves, and open swimming room.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide strong biological and mechanical filtration with a protein skimmer. Puffers are enthusiastic, messy eaters and water quality can decline quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maintain 70 to 78°F, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025, pH 8.1 to 8.4, and alkalinity around 8 to 12 dKH.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offer varied meaty foods such as clam, mussel, shrimp, krill, squid, and marine fish flesh. Hard-shelled foods are essential for wearing down the continuously growing beak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-aggressive. Choose sturdy tankmates too large to swallow and watch for fin nipping, especially after lights out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Never intentionally make a puffer inflate. Transfer it underwater in a rigid container instead of lifting it into the air or catching its spines in a net.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLongspine Porcupine Puffer, Balloonfish, Porcupinefish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eDiodon holocanthus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eDiodontidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistribution\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eTropical Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCommonly 8 to 14 inches, potentially near 20 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum aquarium\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e180 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMeaty marine foods and hard-shelled invertebrate foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSaltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest kept in a large fish-only aquarium with sturdy, similarly sized fish that will not harass it or compete excessively at feeding time. Every individual is different, so closely monitor introductions and provide multiple shelters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, clams, urchins, sea stars, and delicate corals. Very small fish may be eaten, while slow or long-finned fish may be nipped. If you want another personable marine puffer, consider the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/striped-dogface-puffer-arothron-manilensis-saltwater\"\u003eStriped Dogface Puffer\u003c\/a\u003e as an alternative rather than an automatic tankmate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods and Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-silversides-flat-pack\"\u003eSFBB Silversides Flat Pack\u003c\/a\u003e for varied meaty feeding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eMarine foods\u003c\/a\u003e for frozen and prepared options.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eWater testing supplies\u003c\/a\u003e for monitoring a heavily fed system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this puffer reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. It naturally eats shelled invertebrates and may damage corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are hard-shelled foods important?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe fused beak grows continuously. Regular shell-on foods help provide natural tooth wear and reduce the risk of overgrowth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I make it puff up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Inflation is a stress response. Never provoke it, and keep the fish submerged during transfers so it does not swallow air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan two puffers live together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDo not assume they will. Territorial behavior and feeding competition can become serious, so mixing puffers requires an exceptionally large system, backup housing, and close observation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does this fish need such strong filtration?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLarge meaty meals create substantial waste. A mature biofilter, protein skimmer, mechanical filtration, and consistent maintenance are essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48070958350555,"sku":"48070958350555","price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/fa2ad865-cb33-47f9-8fa5-d77ad206f151.png?v=1789513500","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/longspine-porcupine-puffer-diodon-holocanthus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}