Starry Pufferfish, Arothron stellatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Scientific name: Arothron stellatus
Arothron stellatus Click to enlarge image
A Starry Pufferfish at a depth of 10 m, South Solitary Island, New South Wales. Image: E. Schlögl
© E. Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Arothron
    Species
    stellatus
    Family
    Tetraodontidae
    Order
    Tetraodontiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 1.2 m in length.

Introduction

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.

Starry Pufferfish, Arothron stellatus
Starry Pufferfish
I.1146 - Arothron stellatus

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.

Feeding and diet

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

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.