| Family: |
Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae |
| Max. size: |
50 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 73 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa south to Durban, South Africa (Ref. 4919) and east to the Panama, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe and Easter islands. Eastern Pacific: Guaymas, Mexico to Ecuador (Ref. 9349). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-13. Body covered with prickles (Ref. 559).
Description: Characterized further by black body color; head, body and fins covered by small white spots; small spinules on head and body except around mouth, caudal peduncle and variable area of back; more developed spinules on ventral surface; short snout, length about 2.1-2.2 in head length; short and rounded caudal fin, length 4.5-5.0 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in coral-rich areas of clear lagoon and seaward reefs, Ref. 48637. Prefers oceanic localities (Ref. 48637). Solitary (Ref. 90102). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds mainly on tips of branching corals and to a lesser extent on sponges, mollusks, bryozoans, tunicates, forams, algae, and detritus. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
poisonous to eat |
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