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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Subtropical

Blunthead puffer

Sphoeroides pachygaster Müller & Troschel, 1848
Max Length
40.5 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.2
Depth
50–480 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
40.00/100
Typical Length
26 cm
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Inhabit sandy, muddy and rocky bottoms . Young are pelagic . Feed mainly on squid. In southeast Brazil captured between 50 and 145 m .

Scientific Name
Sphoeroides pachygaster
Authority
Müller & Troschel, 1848
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
40.5 cm
Depth Range
50–480 m
Latitude
51°S – 61°N
Trophic Level
4.2
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
40.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 9; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Body without prickles . Brownish above, white below; occasionally with dark spots on flanks . Tip of or all lower ray of the caudal white.: short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Blunthead puffer is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Blunthead puffer is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Blunthead puffer is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 50 - 480 m , usually 50 - 250 m . Subtropical; 61°N - 51°S, 99°E - 149°E

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine
Trophic Level
4.2±0.73
Food Items

squid

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.02754 × L2.84 (TL)
Max TL
40.5cm
Dorsal Rays
8
Anal Rays
9

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2011

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
40.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.2
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Latitude Range
61°N – 51°S
Described By
Müller & Troschel, 1848

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Blunthead 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 17.7 g
Omega-3 (total) 351 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Blunthead 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

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Liosaccus aerobaticus Whitley 1928 Synonym
Liosaccus cutaneus Günther 1870 Synonym
Liosaccus pachygaster Müller & Troschel 1848 Synonym
Sphaeroides cutaneus Günther 1870 Synonym
Spheroides dubius von Bonde 1923 Synonym
Spheroides pachygaster Müller & Troschel 1848 Synonym
Spheroides pachygaster levis Borodin 1928 Synonym
Sphoeroides cutaneous Günther 1870 Synonym
Sphoeroides cutaneus Günther 1870 Synonym
Sphoeroides dubius von Bonde 1923 Synonym
Sphoeroides pachgaster Müller & Troschel 1848 Synonym
Tetraodon pachygaster Müller & Troschel 1848 Synonym
Tetrodon cutaneus Günther 1870 Synonym
Tetrodon pachygaster Müller & Troschel 1848 Synonym
Thecapteryx lioderma Fowler 1948 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 717 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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