NWS PUFFY1

Joseph Mastropiero introduces his young son to "Puffy" the Porcupine Puffer fish at the Staten Island Zoo. (Photo courtesy Joseph Mastropiero)

Puffy, the Porcipine Puffer fish at the Staten Island Zoo, was 20 years old when he died. (Photo courtesy of Joseph Mastropiero)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Joseph Mastropiero, the father of a young son, grew up on Staten Island, and as such, remembers making frequent visits to the Staten Island Zoo, where he would head straight over to the aquarium and the large tank that was home to "Puffy" -- the large porcupine puffer fish -- who would swim up to the glass to stare back at the Zoo visitors who were staring at him.

He began taking his son to the Zoo when he was a few months old, just to introduce him to the pucker-faced fish. On a rare warm Sunday last month, however, Mastropiero was surprised to arrive at the Zoo and find Puffy's tank empty.

Mastropiero, who writes "Just Another Dad," a parenting blog devoted to fathers, wasted no time blogging about his childhood bond with Puffy.

"It is with a heavy heart that I have to let you know that the Porcupine Puffer fish, Puffy, has passed away at the Staten Island Zoo," Mastropiero wrote.

He also dashed off an e-mail to SILive news managers.

Zoo spokesman Brian Morris confirmed the worst when we inquired:

"Puffy, our porcupine puffer fish, whose seemingly constant smile mesmerized Staten Island Zoo visitors for more than a generation, died from age-related illnesses," Morris said. "While most of his species don't live past 10 years, Puffy was over 20 years old, a long and full life."

Mastropiero believes Puffy "has a larger following than people will realize."

"He has been around for more than 20 years, and he has made a lot of friends in that time ... Most people my age (20s-30s) will have strong memories of him. I am writing because I feel he should be remembered in some way... ."

So here you go, Puffy fans: Feel free to use the comment section below to share your memories of the Zoo's beloved fish.

EPILOGUE

There is a happy ending to Puffy's story.

According to the Zoo, porcupine puffer fish are generally found in shallow tropical waters throughout the world.

Morris, the Zoo spokesman, assured us: "Knowing that Puffy's age was greatly advanced, there's a Puffy Junior now swimming in our aquarium."

And just in time for spring.