Diodon holacanthus (porcupine puffer) lifespan?

[Anonymous]

I was wondering about the expected lifespan in captivity of this wonderful fish. I had one for about 5 years and I recently lost him to disease after introducing a sick fish to the system by accident. I am very devastated, as is my girlfriend (this was her first fish). Losing this fish to disease was the last thing I expected, since in the past he was so resiliant.

My question is basically this: Could his immune system have been weakened due to old age? What is the natural lifespan of this fish in captivity? I am not sure how old he was when we got him either. I'd say he was about 2.5 to 3 inches in length when we got him. I'd say that is under a year old.

Any help is appreciated, thanks a lot.
Chris George

[ December 20, 2001: Message edited by: Chris George ]</p>

 

[Super Len]

Life span of wild fish is hard to accurately document. However, fish such as clowns, angels and tangs have been reported to live for over 20 years in captivity (some well over 30). This gives you some reference on the longevity of fish in the wild. I highly doubt your puffer died due to old age.

 

[Anonymous]

Yah, I didn't think so either. I know what killed him, but I was thinking his immune system may not be what it used to be. He used to kick everything within 2-3 days. Other fish in the same tank would be severely ill, and he'd barely show anything. I think it may come down to the fact that the puffer ate part of the sick fish that I introduced.

 

[LeoR]

Chris:

Life-span data for Diodons is hard to find. But, we can try a rough estimate from length.

Average adult porky grows to 50 cm (note that there are reports of porkies exceeding 90 cm).

My guesstimate (based on 6 year old porkies I have) is that with good diet (3.3 x weight/year) they grow at least 2.5 cm per year.

This translates to about 20 years.
Note that food consumption is a crucial factor in this estimate (fishes do not grow when they do not eat).

MickAv8r:

I think that the monster you saw at the LBAP is actually an Arothron species (or another non-spiny relative).
Their resident porcupine is much smaller (under 25 cm.)
(I've been there 3 times, but let me know if you want me to double-check on my video tapes.)


LeoR

diodon.org

[ December 21, 2001: Message edited by: LeoR ]</p>

 

[Anonymous]

Bout this time last year I visited the Long Beach Aquarium. IIRC they had a D. holacnthus who was about the size of a Buick. You could see almost a foot inside his mouth. Judging age by size is almost impossible, however this guy had definitely been around the reef a few times.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the help everyone. Its obvious that my puffer had many more years in him if not for my carelessness. I plan to get another porky, but I'm going to setup a new tank for this and do it right. It till be many months before I do this, but I'm sure the new guy will be with me for a long time, hopefully 20 years. I now own a house and hope to live there permanently, so that will definitely help things.

 

[LeoR]

MickAv8r:

Just checked my videos:

The huge puffer you saw at the Long Beach Aq. is "Diodon hystrix" -- the closest relative of porcupines (D. holocanthus).

These 2 species are often misidentified and switched even in reputable books, so your guess was pretty good.

LeoR

 

[Anonymous]

I saw a d.hystrix i believe while snorkeling in Hawaii. Very large, about 16". It didn't have a noticable color pattern like d.holocanthus, just brownish with little black spots. The spots were also on the fins, which d.holocanthus does not have.

 

[LeoR]

Chris George:

Yes, spots on the fins are one way to distinguish D. hystrix from D. holocanthus.

D. hystrix does have the same camouflage pattern on the back, but it is less pronounced.

There are more differences. D. hystrix has:
-- Short spines.
-- Dark=brown spots and pattern.
-- Thin outer eye ring.
-- It grows 20% bigger.

LeoR

 

[Anonymous]

Nice, thanks for the info. I need to relearn all I can about these wonderful fish before keeping one again.