Blackspotted puffer
📖 Overview
Inhabit coastal to outer reef crest and slopes with rich invertebrate growth. Sometimes solitary . Adults often in pairs . Feed on corals (usually Acropora tips), crustaceans, mollusks, sponges, tunicates and algae . Generally common .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12. Body covered with prickles and with large black spots . : short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blackspotted puffer is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 60 m . Tropical; 42°N - 35°S, 20°E - 158°W East Africa to Micronesia and Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to New South Wales.
🌿 Ecology
corals (usually Acropora tips), crustaceans, mollusks, sponges, tunicates and algae (Ref
📐 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
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Blackspotted puffer is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 108 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Blackspotted puffer has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Baiacu manchado de preto · Black Spotted Blow Fish · Black Spotted Pufferfish · Black-spotted Puffer · Black-spotted Pufferfish · Black-spotted Toadfish · Black-spotted Toado · Blackspotted Blaasop · Blackspotted Toadfish · Blackspotted puffer · Dog-faced Puffer · Dogface Puffer · Puffer Fish · Spotted Toado · brown puffer · Black Spotted Puffer |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix bola cara de gos |
| 🌍CES | čtverzubec černoskvrnný |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Sortplettet kuglefisk |
| 🇩🇪German | Schwarzfleck-Kugelfisch |
| 🇫🇷French | Ballon maculé · Poisson-ballon à Queue Jaune · Poisson-ballon à Taches Noires · Poisson-ballon à points noirs |
| 🇭🇺Hungarian | Foltos gömbhal |
| 🇮🇹Italian | pesce palla a macchie nere |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Kokutenfugu · コクテンフグ |
| 🌍MLG | Botagna |
| 🇵🇱Polish | arotron czarnoplamy |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Baiacu-focinho-de-cão |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Botete Cara de Perro · Pez globo enmascarado |
| 🌍THA | ปลาปักเป้าจุดดำ · ปลาปักเป้าหน้าหมา |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 污點河魨 · 狗頭 · 規仔 · 黑斑叉鼻魨 · 黑斑叉鼻鲀 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arothron citrinellus | Günther | 1870 | Synonym |
| Arothron melanorhynchos | Bleeker | 1855 | Synonym |
| Arothtron nigropunctatus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Tetraodon nigropunctatus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Tetraodon nigropunctatus citrinella | Günther | 1870 | Synonym |
| Tetraodon trichoderma | Bleeker | 1854 | Synonym |
| Tetraodon trichodermatoides | Bleeker | 1854 | Synonym |
| Tetrodon aurantius | Ogilby | 1890 | Synonym |
| Tetrodon nigropunctatus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Tetrodon nigropunctatus citrinella | Günther | 1870 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 37 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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