The Puffer Forum

I am just returning from a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands and while there I went snorkeling. I swam out rather deep and among stingrays, starfish, corals, and others I am pretty sure I saw about 3 large puffers! They were at the bottom looking for crustaceans no doubt but it was too deep for me to dive down that far for a closer look.
I apologize for not searching more, doing my own research, & the usual stipulations about poor forum etiquette but I'm on the flight back, on my Droid phone, and I'm way too excited about the prospect of having actually swam with (large) puffers!

Does anyone know what species of puffer might live in and around the US Virgin Islands (St. John in particular)? Like I said, they looked like some saltwater puffers I had seen before but they were in a deep area where I wasn't able to swim all the way down to them for a better look and positive id. They could have been another type of fish (but I hope not!).

How large were they? Did they have visible spines?

They seemed pretty large (you know, for puffers). I'M strictly guessing because they were in a deep area and I could only see them because the water is absolutely crystal clear there (it wasn't like 100 feet deep or anything - I just couldn't hold my breath all that long). I can't remember spines but their coloration looked very familiar. I'm going to check out the puffer gallery and see if I can figure out what they could have been.

My guess would be Diodon hystrix.

Thanks - that will help my gallery search!

???

Yes...that looks pretty close to what I remember. I really wish I had the presence of mind to have brought some kind of waterproof/underwater camera. But, that's definitely the general coloration, if not exactly, given that I was still a little ways away from them underwater at the time, and I only saw them from the top as I was looking down (couldn't dive close enough to get in front or to the side of them). What species are those? Oh, wait, those would be Diodon hystrix, right? Would it make sense for those to be in that location?
I just think it's the coolest thing that I swam with these puffer fish. (I know, I'm easily amused.)

Yes, those pics were taken in the Caribbean. That puffer was about 2'.