Break out the balloons…for this celebration. Today's snorkeling adventure on a nearby beach near the town of Cabo San Lucas brought many surprises. This Balloonfish, also commonly called the barred porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus) was found under a ledge of encrusting algae. When disturbed this species can ingest water and inflate to the point of being three times their original size. In combination with body spines, this defense mechanism defeats most predators. Characteristic coloring consists of black bars that pass through the eyes as well as four dark blotches on the dorsal side of the animal.