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🌊 Marine Least Concern ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Poisonous to eat 🌡️ Tropical

Immaculate puffer

Arothron immaculatus Bloch & Schneider, 1801
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Max Length
37.5 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
3–30 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
28.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Inhabits weedy areas, often in estuaries; seagrass beds and mangrove areas in 1-1.5 m. Solitary . Specimens caught by trawling over silty bottoms in 17 m. .

Scientific Name
Arothron immaculatus
Authority
Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
37.5 cm
Depth Range
3–30 m
Latitude
33°S – 37°N
Trophic Level
3.3
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
28.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 17. Body covered with prickles . Dark bars on side of head and below pectoral fins; juvenile specimens from the Pacific with longitudinal dark stripes on belly . : short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Immaculate puffer is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous

Oviparous .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 30 m . Tropical; 37°N - 33°S, 32°E - 168°E West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (including the south coast of South Africa, Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.3±0.24
🧍 Solitary

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.03311 × L2.82 (TL)
Max TL
37.5cm
Dorsal Rays
10
Anal Rays
13

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2011

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
28.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
37°N – 33°S
Described By
Bloch & Schneider, 1801

⚠️ Venom Profile

Medical Warning: This species is venomous. Seek immediate medical attention if envenomated. Contact emergency services and follow first aid guidance below.
Venom Type
proteinaceous neurotoxin
Delivery
dorsal, anal, and pelvic fin spines
Potency
Severe
Mortality Risk
Low
Symptom Onset
5min
Duration
24.0hrs
Antivenom
✗ Not Available
Named Toxins
high-molecular-weight protein (Stonustoxin analogue) acetylcholine
Symptoms
  • immediate intense pain
  • swelling
  • erythema
  • occasional nausea and weakness
Affected Body Systems
peripheral nervous system cardiovascular
First Aid
Immerse affected area in hot water (45 C, tolerable) for 30-90 minutes to denature toxin. Do not apply ice.
Medical Treatment

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

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Crayracion immaculatus Bloch & Schneider 1801 Synonym
Dilobmycterus sordidus Rüppell 1829 Synonym
Dilobomycter sordidus Rüppell 1829 Synonym
Tetraodon aspilos Bleeker 1851 Synonym
Tetraodon immaculatus Bloch & Schneider 1801 Synonym
Tetraodon kunhardtii Bleeker 1850 Synonym
Tetraodon parvus Joannis 1835 Synonym
Tetraodon scaber Eydoux & Souleyet 1850 Synonym
Tetraodon sordidus Rüppell 1829 Synonym
Tetrodon immaculatus Bloch & Schneider 1801 Synonym
Tetrodon sordidus Rüppell 1829 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 22 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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