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MAP PUFFERFISH FACTS |
Description
The Map Pufferfish is yellowish-grey above and white below and covered with an intricate pattern of fine dark lines. The eye is surrounded by a pattern of black lines radiating from the eye in all directions. The gill opening and base of the pectoral fins are surrounded by large black blotches. The body is covered with prickles.
Size
length to 60cm
Habitat
found in clear lagoons and along drop-offs of sheltered seaward coral reefs. They prefer waters from 4m to 30m deep.
Food
algae, sponges, bottom dwelling invertebrates
Range
The Map Pufferfish is found throughout the Indo-West Pacific region. In Australia it is found around north-western Western Australia and from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland to northern New South Wales.
Notes
Contains a potentially lethal poison (tetrodotoxin) in the skin and organs.
Classification
| Class: | Actinopterygii | | Order: | Tetraodontiformes | | Family: | Tetraodontidae | | Genus: | Arothron | | Species: | mappa | | Common Name: | Map Pufferfish |
Relatives in same Genus
Stars and Stripes Toadfish (A. hispidus)
Narrow-lined Pufferfish (A. manilensis)
Blackspotted Pufferfish (A. nigropunctatus)
Starry Pufferfish (A. stellatus)
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