{"product_id":"long-spine-porcupinefish-diodon-holocanthus","title":"Long-Spine Porcupinefish | Diodon holocanthus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll goofy eyes and prickly charm, the Long-Spine Porcupinefish is the classic puffer that inflates when alarmed. It grows large, eats with gusto, and needs a big fish-only tank and hard foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, Long-Spine Porcupinefish is associated with Tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific reefs, seagrass beds, lagoons and rocky coastal habitats. These environments usually provide a mixture of coral growth, rubble, sandy pockets, algae films, small crustaceans and sheltered areas where the fish can forage through the day. Many puffers and boxfish spend long periods inspecting surfaces for small invertebrates, algae, sponges, worms and other edible items. Replicating this type of environment in captivity means providing mature live rock, open swimming space and secure hiding areas. A bare or newly set-up aquarium is rarely ideal, as these fish do best when the system has developed natural grazing surfaces and stable biological filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Long-Spine Porcupinefish has the unmistakable look that makes this group so popular. Its body form, markings and swimming style give it immediate display appeal, while the adult size of around 35 cm must be considered before purchase. Unlike fast, streamlined fish, boxfish and puffers move with a deliberate, hovering motion and use their eyes constantly to inspect food and surroundings. Colour and pattern may change slightly with age, mood and lighting, especially in boxfish species where juvenile and adult appearance can differ greatly. Healthy specimens should appear alert, responsive, well-filled through the body and interested in food without showing pinched bellies, cloudy eyes or damaged fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as semi-aggressive. This does not mean the fish is unsuitable for community aquariums, but it does mean the final mix needs to be planned. Suitable companions include larger tangs, rabbitfish, robust wrasses, large angels and peaceful predatory fish. It should not be kept with ornamental invertebrates, very small fish, fin nippers and aggressive predators that may stress it. Small puffers may nip at fins or invertebrates, while larger puffers can eat crustaceans and shelled animals. Boxfish are generally calmer but can be stressed by bullying, fast feeding competition or rough handling. Add the fish to a settled aquarium, observe feeding carefully and avoid housing it with tank mates that will outcompete it at every meal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding should be varied and consistent. Offer a rotation of quality frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped prawn, squid, clam, mussel, marine fish flesh, algae-based foods and premium marine pellets once accepted. Puffer species should regularly receive hard-shelled foods such as clam, cockle or suitably sized crustacean material to help wear the beak naturally. Feed small portions once or twice daily and remove uneaten food before it affects water quality. Many individuals learn to take food confidently from the water column, but new arrivals may need a quiet tank and a mixture of meaty frozen foods to start feeding strongly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 450 L, with 600 L or larger recommended for better swimming room and dilution of waste. Maintain temperature at 24–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Moderate water movement is suitable, but avoid blasting the fish with direct high flow. Lighting can be standard marine lighting; intense reef lighting is acceptable if shaded areas are available. Aquascaping should include stable rock structures, caves and open lanes for swimming. Strong filtration, efficient protein skimming and regular water changes are important because puffers and boxfish can be messy feeders. A weekly water change of 10–20% is recommended depending on stocking level. This fish is not suited to reef aquariums, as it will eat or damage corals and invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is uncommon and not normally expected. In nature, related species may form pairs or loose social territories and release eggs into the water column or spawn in open reef habitats, depending on species. Larval stages are delicate and require specialised planktonic foods, stable rearing systems and experience beyond normal home aquarium keeping. For most hobbyists, the focus should be on long-term health, correct feeding, low stress and careful compatibility rather than attempting to breed this species.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiodon holocanthus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLong-Spine Porcupinefish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific reefs, seagrass beds, lagoons and rocky coastal habitats\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 50 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\/omnivore with hard-shelled foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEstablished marine aquariums and fish-only systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot reef safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include larger tangs, rabbitfish, robust wrasses, large angels and peaceful predatory fish, provided the aquarium is large enough and feeding competition is managed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with ornamental invertebrates, very small fish, fin nippers and aggressive predators that may stress it. Do not mix with fish that may harass, bite, outcompete or stress it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351890608419,"sku":"BA8161-S","price":115.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55216340304163,"sku":"BA8161","price":135.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351890641187,"sku":"BA8161-L","price":155.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-40cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351890673955,"sku":"BA8161-XL","price":180.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562729259299,"sku":"BA8161-S-IMP","price":115.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562729292067,"sku":"BA8161-M-IMP","price":135.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562729324835,"sku":"BA8161-L-IMP","price":155.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-40cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562729357603,"sku":"BA8161-XL-IMP","price":180.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/long-spine-porcupinefish-dio-43090651447587-lv.webp?v=1790307472","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/long-spine-porcupinefish-diodon-holocanthus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}