Latin name

Arothron nigropunctatus

Other name

Dog-faced puffer

Identification

Their body is oval and relatively elongated, covered with barbs. The skin is not covered with scales. The fish does not have a lateral line. The snout is short, with two pairs of nostrils, and the mouth with four strong teeth is located at the end.

Features of fish fins

The fish does not have a pelvic fin. The dorsal and anal fins are small, symmetrical and located at the end of the body. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10-12.

Fish colouring

Background coloration varies and may be gray, tan, bluish, dark bluish, light yellow, orange-yellow, and sometimes bicolored, such as bluish and yellow. Dark coloration is seen around the eyes and mouth. The skin is covered with dark patches that vary in size and shape.

Distribution

Widespread in tropical waters from the Indian Ocean to the central Pacific islands, roughly corresponding to the Indo-Pacific region, excluding the Red Sea. 

Habitat

It lives near the outer slopes of reefs and lagoons from the surface to a depth of 25 m (82 ft).

Size

The fish is small in size, reaching 33 centimeters in length. 

Behavior

They are diurnal. They live alone. Territorial. To deter potential enemies, they can inflate their bodies by swallowing air or water.

Food and feeding habits

They feed on benthic invertebrates, sponges, algae, acropora, crustaceans and mollusks.

Reproduction

Oviparous.

Fishing

This species is commercially important in fisheries.

Relationship with a person

Contains the deadly toxin tetrodotoxin, which protects it from predators.