|
Sphoeroides pachygaster (Müller & Troschel, 1848) Blunthead puffer |
|
|
photo by
Cambraia Duarte, P.M.N. (c)ImagDOP |
| Family: | Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae | |||
| Max. size: | 40.5 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; marine; depth range 50 - 480 m | |||
| Distribution: | Circumglobal in tropical and temperate seas. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Body without prickles (Ref. 559). Brownish above, white below; occasionally with dark spots on flanks (Ref. 4919). Tip of or all lower ray of the caudal white. | |||
| Biology: | Inhabit sandy, muddy and rocky bottoms (Ref. 2683). Young are pelagic (Ref. 7251). Feed mainly on squid. In southeast Brazil captured between 50 and 145 m (Ref. 47377). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 June 2011 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||