Puffers are sometimes pelagic (ocean-going) for parts of their life cycle, but typically they hang out in reefs, brackish areas, or other near-shore zones and hunt smallish prey, "sprinting" it down and delivering a quick snap, or just teasing it out from hiding places among coral or plants. They use the same "sprint" to evade attack.

Puffers also have the ability to swivel their eyes independently, like a chameleon.