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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Subtropical

Longnose puffer

Sphoeroides lobatus Steindachner, 1870
Max Length
35.8 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
10–60 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
28.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Longnose puffer (Sphoeroides lobatus), first described by Steindachner, 1870 is a medium-sized fish in the family Tetraodontidae (order Tetraodontiformes). Adults typically reach 35.80 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 10 to 60 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.

Scientific Name
Sphoeroides lobatus
Authority
Steindachner, 1870
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
35.8 cm
Depth Range
10–60 m
Trophic Level
3.5
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
28.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Longnose puffer is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Longnose puffer is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 10 - 60 m . Subtropical; 34°N -

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌿 Brackish ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.5±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.02512 × L2.88 (TL)
Max TL
35.8cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2008

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
28.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Steindachner, 1870

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Longnose puffer is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.8 g
Omega-3 (total) 429 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Longnose puffer has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Canthogaster lobatus Steindachner 1870 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 25 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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