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Diodon holocanthus
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Diodon holocanthus

Common Names: Balloon Porcupinefish
Balloonfish
Blotched Porcupinefish
Brown Porcupinefish
Freckled porcupinefish
Hedgehog fish
Long
Porcupinefish
Spine Porcupine Puffer
Spiny puffer
Synonyms: Diodon hystrix holocanthus
Family: Diodontidae
Category: Tetradontiforms
Distribution: Pacific - South; Wide-spread throughout the oceans near the sub-tropics.
Main Ecosystem: Reef; Reef
Temperament: Aggressive; Semi agressive to agressive fish which is not reef safe. The balloonfish will eat hermit crabs, snails, sea urchins, and shrimp living in your tank. They will also nibble on living reefs.
Diet: Carnivore; Carnivore
Care: Balloonfish eat snails, sea urchins, hermit crabs, krill, and shrimp.
Can be taught to hand-feed with patience. In the wild they feed nocturnally which might help with a fussy eater.
A large tank (minimum 125-150 gallons) is essential. They are very sensitive to changes in the water parameters and need to be acclimated carefully. Once settled in the Balloonfish is very active and does not mind high traffic areas.
pH:
Temperature:
22°C - 28°C
72°F - 82°F
Specific Gravity:
1.02 - 1.025
Potential Size: Male: 50cm (19.7")
Female: 50cm (19.7")
Water Region: Bottom; Bottom
Activity: Nocturnal; Nocturnal
Gender: Unknown
Breeding: Not easily/normally accomplished in the typical home aquaria.

Variants:
Comments: The Balloonfish can inflate taking water or air into its body as a form of protection against predators. Although nocturnal it will come out often during the day once settled in.
Main Colours: Brown, Black
Markings: Mottled
Mouth: Normal
Tail: Convex
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Image Credit: ;Koi Keeper
Submitted By: koi keeper
Contributors: sirbooks
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