Marbled puffer
📖 Overview
Marbled puffer (Sphoeroides dorsalis), first described by Longley, 1934 is a medium-sized fish in the family Tetraodontidae (order Tetraodontiformes). Adults typically reach 20.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 18 to 100 metres. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is important as a food fish and considered a sustainable seafood option under current management. As a member of the Tetraodontidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 7. : short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Marbled puffer is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 18 - 100 m , usually 18 - 100 m . Subtropical; 37°N - 34°S, 84°W - 34°W Central Atlantic: Throughout the area, from North Carolina, USA to Suriname.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Marbled 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
Detailed nutritional data for Marbled puffer is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Marbled 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 | Marbled Puffer · Marbled Pufferfish · Puffer |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix bola melmelada |
| 🇫🇷French | Compère Marbré |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Segurofugu · セグロフグ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Baiacu · Baiacu-marmelado · Baiacu-marmoreado · Baiacu-mirim |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Conejo · Corrotucho Futre · Sapo Futre · botete jaspeado |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 90 records indexed .
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