Latin name

Canthigaster valentini

Other name

Saddled puffer or black saddled toby.

Identification

Valentin's sharpnose puffer is slightly compressed at the sides. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9. 

Fish colouring

This species has a pale body colour with light brown spots. There are several black patches on the head, back and tail.

Distribution

Valentin's pufferfish live in the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific from the coast of East Africa to South Africa, Japan, the Tuamotu Islands and Lord Howe Island. 

Habitat

Marine tropical species. Inhabits coral reefs at depths from 1 to 55 m. Occurs among coral tops and rocks of sublittoral lagoon and coastal reefs. Widespread on coastal reefs at various depths. 

Size

The body length of this fish species is 10 cm. 

Behavior

Occasionally the fish form small schools of up to 100 individuals. Individuals of Paraluteres prionurus join these schools. They mimic the pigmentation and body shape of the fish to protect themselves from predators. They make up no more than 5% of the school.

Food and feeding habits

It feeds on red and green algae and small invertebrates such as small echinoderms, polychaete worms, molluscs and bryozoans.

Reproduction

They live in polygamous unions. Together with females, whose number in the harem ranges from one to seven, he controls a large area. Females lay their eggs every day in the early hours of the morning, choosing seaweed leaves as a substrate. Males that do not have their own harem will try to infiltrate existing harems to lay eggs with a female. If they encounter a harem owner, they will start to imitate the mating female to avoid a fight.

Fishing

It is a commercially important species and can be found in the aquarium trade.

Relationship with a person

Poisonous to eat.