Takifugu xanthopterus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850)
Yellowfin pufferfish
Takifugu xanthopterus
photo by CAFS

Family:  Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae
Max. size:  50 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 208.7 g
Environment:  demersal; marine
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: southern Japan and East China Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-18; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 14-16. Body covered with prickles; blackish-blue dorsally, white ventrally. Several white lines running on back and side. All fins yellow (Ref. 559).
Biology:  Occurs in the sublittoral zone and estuaries, on rock bottoms (Ref. 11230). Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  poisonous to eat


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