Blackspotted Pufferfish, Arothron nigropunctatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Blackspotted Pufferfish, Arothron nigropunctatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

The Blackspotted Pufferfish occurs on coral reefs feeding off the live coral.

Identification

The Blackspotted Pufferfish can be recognised by its colouration. It is grey to brown above and white to yellow below. There are irregular black spots on the body and a pale band across the snout.

Size range

The species grows to 25 cm in length.

Distribution

The Blackspotted Pufferfish occurs in the Indo-Pacific region.

In Australia it is known from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country, and south to the central coast of New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Blackspotted Pufferfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species occurs on coral reefs.

Behaviour and adaptations

Feeding and Diet

It eats mainly live corals.

Classification

Species:: nigropunctatus
Genus:: Arothron
Family:: Tetraodontidae
Order:: Tetraodontiformes
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
Randall, J.E. 2005. Reef and Shore Fishes of the South Pacific: New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands. University of Hawai’i Press. Pp. 584.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 30 July 2010

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