Black Blotch Porcupinefish

The Black Blotch Porcupinefish (Diodon liturosus). It is a semi-aggressive species that is not reef-safe, admired for its striking dark blotches, inflatable defense mechanism, large expressive eyes, and unique spiny body.

Males typically look very similar to females, with no strong external dimorphism, but may grow slightly larger and display more dominant territorial behavior, while females/juveniles remain slightly smaller and show the same overall coloration and markings.

They reach about 12–14 inches in adulthood and should be housed in aquariums of at least 180 gallons. Provide ample live rock for hiding, open swimming space, and a sandy substrate, along with stable water parameters (salinity ~1.020–1.025, temp ~72–79°F, pH ~8.1–8.4), and a secure lid since porcupinefish can jump when startled.

Diet should consist of hard-shelled invertebrates (clams, crabs, shrimp, snails), along with meaty foods like squid, krill, and chopped fish, as their strong beak-like teeth need to be worn down regularly.

With proper care, this fish makes a standout centerpiece addition to a large aquarium, though best suited for fish-only setups due to its tendency to nip or consume invertebrates.

International Aquatics Quarantine & Guarantee: All fish are checked by marine vets, given a formalin bath, and held for 14 days in copper-treated systems. We feed Selcon-soaked food with Kanaplex and Metroplex during quarantine. Unless marked, all livestock comes with our 15-Day Guarantee. You will receive a video of your fish eating before shipment. On request, we also send photos/videos after arrival at IA. Some species are import-to-order (3-10 business days). Many common species are already cleared or near the end of QT.

Several species will be import-to-order and may take anywhere from 3-10 business days to secure. Once your fish is secured, you will be notified, and the quarantine process will then begin.