The Top Longspined Porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus) is a distinctive marine species known for its rounded body, long spines, and the ability to inflate itself as a defense mechanism. Found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, this fish inhabits coral reefs and seagrass beds. While not a major target of large-scale commercial fisheries due to its tough, spiny skin and the presence of tetrodotoxin in its organs, it is sometimes caught as bycatch or for the aquarium trade. Countries such as China, Indonesia, and the Philippines are among the primary harvesters, where porcupinefish may be sold in local markets, used in traditional medicine, or displayed as curiosities. However, the global fishing industry for the Longspined Porcupinefish remains relatively small and localized compared to more commercially valuable species.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.