Ferocious Puffer, Feroxodon multistriatus (Richardson, 1854)
Ferocious Pufferfish, Many-striped Pufferfish, Striped Toado
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© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Feroxodon
- Species
- multistriatus
- Family
- Tetraodontidae
- Order
- Tetraodontiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- The species grows to at least 90 cm in length.
Introduction
The Ferocious Puffer can be recognised by its distinctive colouration and gets its name from its unprovoked attacks on people.
Identification
The Ferocious Puffer can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. It has curved posteriorly sloping lines on the head and body. The lower regions of the head, body and caudal peduncle are spotted.
Distribution
The species occurs throughout the Indo-West Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from off north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north, and south to northern New South Wales.
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.
Economic impacts
Its common name comes from its unprovoked attacks on people. It has been known to bite off the toes of swimmers.
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292. (as Anchisomus multistriatus)
- 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. (as Anchisomus multistriatus)
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
