Latin name

Arothron hispidus

Other names

Arothron hispidus

Identification

Have a single curved lateral line. Body with small spines except for the snout and tail stalk. Each nostril is equipped with two fleshy, hard tentacles. Gill openings are restricted. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10-11. 

Fish colouring

The body is gray or green-brown with white spots on the sides and caudal fin. In the Red Sea population, the spots are smaller but more numerous.

Distribution

Inhabit the Red Sea, Indian and Pacific Oceans, primarily off the coasts of Baja California and Panama, north of Japan and Hawaii, and off Cape Province, Rapa Iti and Lord Howe Islands. 

Habitat

Tropical marine benthopelagic species. Occurs on outer reef slopes at depths of at least 50 m, on inner reef flats and in lagoons. Juveniles are common in weedy areas of estuaries. Also found in coastal bays and estuaries, usually near rocky reefs or in sandy areas between reefs with little algae, or in shallow waters with sparse seagrass beds. 

Size

The size of these fish can reach up to 50 cm. Maximum reported weight: 2.0 kg. 

Behavior

They live near the bottom and lead a solitary lifestyle based on protecting their own habitat. They do not migrate.

Food and feeding habits

They feed on haptophyte algae, detritus, mollusks, crustaceans, sponges, corals, zoantharians, sabellids, and echinoderms, including sponges.

Reproduction

An egg-laying species.

Fishing

Have little commercial importance in the fishery.

Relationship with a person

Poisonous to eat.