| Family: |
Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae |
| Max. size: |
100 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 4,870.0 g |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range 10 - 180 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: New England, USA and Bermuda to Argentina (Ref. 47377). Eastern Atlantic: Mauritania to Namibia (Ref. 27121). Southwest Atlantic: Sergipe, Brazil (Ref. 118626). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-13 |
| Biology: |
Inhabits inshore and near-shore areas, over sand or mud bottoms. Usually found alone or in small, loose aggregates. Adults are pelagic, but near continental margins; young are commonly found on coastal and offshore banks (Ref. 7251). Feeds on fish and shrimps (Ref. 28587). Minimum depth from Ref. 26912. Its flesh is very delicate; nevertheless, in certain region like the Pacific and the Indian Ocean, it is toxic (particularly the skin and the viscera) (Ref. 5377). Poisonous, should not be eaten (Ref. 36731). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
other |
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