Porcupine Puffer - TheLiving Encyclopedia

The long-spine porcupinefish, also known as the balloonfish, freckled porcupinefish, porcupine puffer, and porcupine pufferfish, is a species of marine fish in the family Diodontidae.

📌 Distribution

The long-spine porcupinefish has a circumtropical distribution, being found in the tropical zones of major seas and oceans: * In the Atlantic it is found from Florida and the Bahamas to Brazil and in the Eastern Atlantic from 30°N to 23°S, as well as around South Africa. * And In the western Indian Ocean from the southern Red Sea to Madagascar, Réunion and Mauritius. * Also In the Pacific Ocean from southern Japan to Lord Howe Island, and east to the Hawaiian and Easter islands. Also from southern California to Colombia and the Galapagos Islands.

📌 Spawning

Spawns at the surface at dawn or at dusk in pairs or in groups of males with a single female; the juveniles remain pelagic until they are at least long. Young and sub-adult fish sometimes occur in groups.

Quick Facts

Common Names:

Porcupine Puffer, Longspined Porcupinefish

Data Completeness:

71%

Data Sources

🌍gbif

📚itis

📖wikipedia

🔬eol

🦎inaturalist

References

All references are verified for authenticity. We prioritize peer-reviewed studies, reputable databases (iNaturalist, GBIF), and established encyclopedias.

Distribution Statistics

10

Observations

10

Countries

Top Locations

Jervis Bay

1

香港清水灣

1

Exmouth Gulf, WA, Australia

1

A Kung Wan, Hang Hau East, New Territories, HK

1

Walker Grant, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169, USA

1

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First: 2/16/2015 · Latest: 8/31/2025