Animal Species:Ferocious Puffer, Feroxodon multistriatus (Richardson, 1854)

Alternative Name/s

Ferocious Pufferfish, Many-striped Pufferfish, Striped Toado

Identification

The Ferocious Puffer can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. It has curved posteriorly sloping lines on the head and body. The lower regions of the head, body and caudal peduncle are spotted.

Size range

The species grows to at least 90 cm in length.

Distribution

The species occurs throughout the Indo-West Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from off north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north, and south to northern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Ferocious Puffer specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Economic/social impacts

Its common name comes from its unprovoked attacks on people. It has been known to bite off the toes of swimmers.

Classification

Species:

multistriatus

Genus:

Feroxodon

Family:

Tetraodontidae

Order:

Tetraodontiformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292. (as Anchisomus multistriatus)
2. 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. (as Anchisomus multistriatus)
3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 10 May 2013

Tags Ferocious Pufferfish, Feroxodon multistriatus, Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontidae, fishes, ichthyology, marine, black, stripes, curved, white, green, 30 cm - 1 m, tropical,