White-spotted puffer (Arothron hispidus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Arothron hispidus
- Common name
- White-spotted puffer
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Tetraodontidae
- Genus
- Arothron
- Size
- 30–50 cm
- Depth
- 1–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef, sand
- Behaviours
- solitary
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific
Description
Arothron hispidus reaches 50 cm. Ovoid grey to brown body uniformly dotted with small white spots (whites on the belly), large eyes. Skin covered in small spines that erect when inflated. Flesh and organs contain tetrodotoxin, one of the world's most potent neurotoxins, 1200 times more deadly than cyanide. Indo-Pacific from 1 to 50 m. Never eat. Swims slowly, allows divers to approach.
Photo of White-spotted puffer
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the White-spotted puffer?
- White-spotted puffer (Arothron hispidus) reaches 30–50 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the White-spotted puffer?
- White-spotted puffer is found between 1–50 m deep.
- Is the White-spotted puffer dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the White-spotted puffer?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the White-spotted puffer?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Arothron
Other species in the family Tetraodontidae
- Sphoeroides marmoratus - Guinean puffer
- Sphoeroides annulatus - Bullseye puffer
- Sphoeroides lobatus - Longnose puffer
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 219925)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2407378)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia