Animal Species:Starry Pufferfish, Arothron stellatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
The Starry Pufferfish is a tropical species that can be recognised by its colouration.
A Starry Pufferfish, Arothron stellatus, at South Solitary Island
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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 (see comment attachment from Sascha Schulz, 29 November 2010, below).
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.
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 Starry Pufferfish specimens in the Australian Museum.
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
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.
- Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
- 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:
Tags fishes, ichthyology, Arothron stellatus, Starry Pufferfish, brown, grey, black, round bodied, > 1 m, dots/spots, tropical waters, marine, adult,
5 comments
Range extension: Minnamurra River, May 2010. Depth 1m. One of two juveniles sighted on the day.
Great photo Sascha! Thanks for submitting it. Yes, it looks like a range extension to me. You have to love the juvenile puffers - so cute.