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ANIMAL SPECIES:Starry Pufferfish, Arothron stellatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

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The Starry Pufferfish is a tropical species that can be recognised by its colouration.

Identification

Adult Starry Pufferfish are white with numerous small black spots that become relatively smaller and more numerous as the fish grows. Juveniles are orange with small black spots. They have diagonal black bands crossing the abdomen.

Size range

The species grows to 1.2 m in length.

Distribution

The Starry Pufferfish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.

In Australia it is recorded from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the New South Wales central coast.

Behaviour and adaptations

Feeding and Diet

It has a variable diet that can include sea urchins, crustaceans, sponges, coral and algae.

Classification

Species:
stellatus
Genus:
Arothron
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.
  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.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
  5. 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: 3 August 2009

3 comments

Mark McGrouther STAFF

Mark McGrouther
8.08 AM, 03 August 2009

Hi Jonathan. Thank you for submitting the photo of the juvenile. The species is 'officially' recorded south as far as Sydney, so your juvenile is right at the southern recorded limit to distribution. Juveniles are more commonly orange, but the characteristic black bands crossing the abdomen are clearly visible on 'your' fish. Thanks again, Mark

Jonathan Regan

Jonathan
9.08 PM, 02 August 2009

Very juvenile A. stellatus in Sydney Harbour (Chowder Bay). Found in about 4m of water on 2 August, 2009.

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