Lantern Toby, Canthigaster epilampra (Jenkins, 1903)

Scientific name: Canthigaster epilampra
Alternative name/s:
Bluespotted Toby, Grey-top Puffer
Lantern Toby Click to enlarge image
A Lantern Toby at a depth of 25m, Bougainville Reef, Coral Sea, December 2000. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Canthigaster
    Species
    epilampra
    Family
    Tetraodontidae
    Order
    Tetraodontiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 11 cm in length.

Introduction

The Lantern Toby can be recognised by its colouration. It is whitish with numerous small blue spots. In Australia it is known from the northern Great Barrier Reef.

Identification

The Lantern Toby can be recognised by its colouration. It is whitish with numerous small blue spots. The snout is yellow with blue lines and spots, and blue lines radiate from the eye. There is a black spot at the base of the dorsal fin. A yellow spot is usually present above the pectoral fin.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Eastern Indian Ocean to the Central Pacific. In Australia it is known from the northern Great Barrier Reef.

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.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.