Prickly puffer
📖 Overview
Common in shallow coastal waters, also in estuaries , bays and lagoons, as well as in offshore trawling stations. Feeds on crabs, echinoids and mollusks . Occurs over hard substrate .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Prickly puffer is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Prickly puffer is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 10 - 100 m . Subtropical; 44°N - 13°S, 18°W - 14°E west coast of Africa to Angola, near Benguela.
🌿 Ecology
crabs, echinoids and mollusks (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 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.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Prickly 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 | 19.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 374 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Prickly 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
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ephippion guttiferum | Bennett | 1831 | Synonym |
| Ephippion maculatum | Bibron | 1855 | Synonym |
| Hemiconiatus guttifer | Bennett | 1831 | Synonym |
| Tetraodon guttifer | Bennett | 1831 | Synonym |
| Tetrodon guttifer | Bennett | 1831 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 699 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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