Family: |
Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Canthigasterinae |
Max. size: |
18 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 350 m |
Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: East Africa south to Natal, South Africa (Ref. 4919) and east to Hawaii, north to southern Japan, south to northwestern Australia (Ref. 3132). Recorded in Kermadec Island. |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Body with 2 longitudinal dark bands that join in front of gill slit, lower band faint or absent; small dark spots ventrally; caudal fin with dark stripes; dark blotch at caudal base (Ref. 4919). |
Biology: |
Inhabits rocky and coral reefs (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). A deep water species known from trawls, rarely seen by diving and occasionally visits deep sandy slopes where upwellings occur (Ref. 48637). |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
venomous |
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