ANIMAL SPECIES:Stars and Stripes Toadfish, Arothron hispidus (Linnaeus, 1758)
The Stars and Stripes Toadfish grows to over 50 cm in length. Like many of its relatives, it has poisonous skin and internal organs.
Identification
The Stars and Stripes Toadfish can be recognised by its colour pattern. The body is greenish to yellowish brown above and white below. The upper sides of the body and caudal fin are covered in small white spots. The lower sides have white to pale blue lines. The pectoral fin base and gill opening are enclosed by alternating dark and light rings.
This species has the typical rounded body shape of many of the pufferfishes (family Tetraodontidae). It has a single dorsal fin positioned posteriorly on the body, opposite the similarly-sized anal fin.
Size range
The Stars and Stripes Toadfish grows to 51 cm in length.Distribution
The Stars and Stripes Toadfish occurs in tropical and warm temperate marine waters throughout the Indo-Pacific.
In Australia it is recorded from southern Western Australia, around the north of the country, and south to central New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Stars and Stripes Toadfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
Habitats range from estuaries to coral reefs.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
This species feeds on a variety of foods including algae, coral, sponges, starfish, molluscs, anemones and other invertebrates. The mouth is beak-like. The teeth in both the upper and lower jaws are fused into two "plates". This distinctive dentition gives rise to the scientific name for the family, Tetraodontidae, which means four teeth.
Living with us
Danger to humans and first aid
Like all fishes in the family this species contains a potentially lethal toxin (tetrodotoxin) in the skin and internal organs.
Classification
- Species:
- hispidus
- Genus:
- Arothron
- Family:
- Tetraodontidae
- Order:
- Tetraodontiformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- 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. (as the Stars and Stripes Puffer)
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