Guinean puffer (Sphoeroides marmoratus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Sphoeroides marmoratus
- Common name
- Guinean puffer
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Tetraodontidae
- Genus
- Sphoeroides
- Size
- 10–20 cm
- Depth
- 0–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, sand
- Behaviours
- solitary, predator, venomous
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia
Description
Sphoeroides marmoratus reaches 20 cm. Atlantic tetraodont brown-beige marbled with dark spots, white belly, large yellow eyes. Impressive defensive inflation ability by swallowing water or air. Very toxic (tetrodotoxin in liver and gonads, potentially fatal). Lives from 0 to 50 m on rocks and sandy bottoms of Macaronesia, Cape Verde, West Africa, occasional Mediterranean. Curious diving, lets itself be approached. Fugu-name cousin species very toxic in Japan, regulated consumption.
Photo of Guinean puffer
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Guinean puffer?
- Guinean puffer (Sphoeroides marmoratus) reaches 10–20 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Guinean puffer?
- Guinean puffer is found between 0–50 m deep.
- Is the Guinean puffer dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Guinean puffer?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Guinean puffer?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia.
Other species in the genus Sphoeroides
Other species in the family Tetraodontidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 127416)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2407842)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia