White-spotted puffer
📖 Overview
Inhabit outer reef slopes to depths of at least 50 m, inner reef flats and lagoons. Juveniles common in weedy areas of estuaries . Also found in coastal bays and estuaries, usually near rocky reef or on sand-stretches between reefs with low algae-rubble reef to about 20 meters depth, or in shallow with sparse seagrass growth . Benthopelagic . Usually solitary and territorial on sandy to rubble areas. Feed on fleshy, calcareous, or coralline algae, detritus, mollusks, tunicates, sponges, corals, zoanthid anemones, crabs, tube worms and echinoderms .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11. This species is characterized by the following: The body is generally greenish-brown in color, the back, sides and caudal fin profusely speckled with white spots, and the belly marked with white bars. A single bent lateral line. Body with small spines except around snout and caudal peduncle. Each nostril with two fleshy solid tentacles. Restricted gill opening. : short and / or deep; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for White-spotted puffer is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 50 m . Tropical; 25°C - ?; 36°N - 36°S, 24°E - 77°W West Pacific : Red Sea and East Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
fleshy, calcareous, or coralline algae, detritus, mollusks, tunicates, sponges, corals, zoanthid ane
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- immediate intense pain
- swelling
- erythema
- occasional nausea and weakness
Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arothon hispidus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Arothron hispidus perspicillaris | Rüppell | 1829 | Synonym |
| Crayracion hispidus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Dilobomycter hispidus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Dilobomycterus hispidus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Takifugu hispidus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Tetraodon hispidus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Tetraodon perspicillaris | Rüppell | 1829 | Synonym |
| Tetraodon sazanami | Tanaka | 1916 | Synonym |
| Tetraodon semistriatus | Rüppell | 1837 | Synonym |
| Tetrodon bondarus | Cantor | 1849 | Synonym |
| Tetrodon hispidus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Tetrodon laterna | Richardson | 1845 | Synonym |
| Tetrodon pusillus | Klunzinger | 1871 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 69 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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