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ANIMAL SPECIES:Map Pufferfish, Arothron mappa (Linnaeus, 1758)

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The Map Pufferfish lives on coral reefs. The gill opening and pectoral fin base are both surrounded by a large black botch and black lines radiate from the eye.

Identification

The Map Pufferfish is yellowish-grey dorsally, white ventrally and covered with an intricate pattern of dark lines. The gill opening and pectoral fin base are both surrounded by a large black botch and black lines radiate from the eye.

Size range

The species grows to 60 cm in length.

Distribution

It has an Indo-West Pacific distribution.

In Australia it is known from north-western Western Australia and from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland to northern New South Wales.

Habitat

The Map Pufferfish lives on coral reefs.

Classification

Species:
mappa
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.
  • 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.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 19 June 2009

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