Porcupinefishes & Burrfishes

Critter Spotlight: Chilomycterus antillarum

Photo Credit: John Randall

These fishes belong in the Order Tetraodontiformes and Suborder Tetraodontoidei as members of the Family Diodontidae (Porcupinefishes & Burrfishes) consisting of 6 genera, and 19 species.

Only 2 genera are of interest to most hobbyists. They are Chilomycterus (Burrfishes) and Diodon (Porcupinefishes). Both have the ability to inflate themselves as a form of passive defense and in doing so, sharp exterior spines are often erected. Their diet consists mainly of large crustaceans and in the aquarium; they will take any type of meaty foodstuffs, including small guppies and mollies. They should also be offered some green foods such as fresh spinach. They do get large, therefore aquariums larger than 75 gallons are recommended. Not suitable with smaller or fin nipping fishes. None are suited for reef aquariums.

Chilomycterus (Burrfishes)

• Chilomycterus antennatus (Bridled Burrfish)
• Chilomycterus antillarum (Web Burrfish)
• Chilomycterus orbicularis (Birdbeak Burrfish)
• Chilomycterus reticulatus (Spotfin Burrfish)
• Chilomycterus schoepfi (Striped Burrfish)
• Chilomycterus spilostylus (Spotbase Burrfish)
• Chilomycterus spinosus (Eye-spot Burrfish)

Diodon (Porcupinefishes)

• Diodon holacanthus (Balloonfish/Spiny Puffer/Long Spined Porcupinefish)
• Diodon hystrix (Common/Spot-fin Porcupinefish)
• Diodon liturosus (Black-botched Porcupinefish)