Creature Feature Encyclopedia: Osteichthyes

Porcupine Fish Diodon Holacanthus

Porcupine fish are small and sluggish, and live mainly in tropical seas. When deflated, they look much like other fish, except for their very large eyes. As soon as danger approaches, they quickly swallow water and balloon to 2 or 3 times their size. If suddenly taken from the water, they can inhale air to produce the same effect. When danger is past, they slowly deflate, resuming a normal appearance. Pufferfish, which can also inflate, are closely related to porcupine fish, but have shorter spines. Another close relative, the burrfish, has spines that are always semi-erect.

~A Swim through the Sea © 1994