| Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Canthigasterinae |
| 11 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 55 m |
| Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Durban, South Africa (Ref. 4919) and east to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Side with two prominent dark bars extending to belly (Ref. 559).
Description: Characterized further by generally white body color with light brown spots and four dark brown to black saddles, middle two extending onto belly; depth of body at origin of anal fin 2.5-2.9 in SL; head length 2.2-2.5 in SL; snout length 1.4-1.6 in head length; caudal peduncle depth 2.2-2.8 in head length; slightly rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102). |
| Found among coral heads and rocks of subtidal lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 4919, 5503). Common on coastal reefs at various depths. Mimic filefish, males are territorial and are often seen fighting (Ref. 48637). Feed mainly on filamentous green and red algae, tunicates, and on smaller amounts of corals, bryozoans, polychaetes, echinoderms, mollusks, and brown and coralline red algae. Form shoals (10-100 or more) often with the filefish, Paraluteres prionurus (about 5% of shoal) mimicking C. valentini to protect it from predators (Ref. 4919, 5503). Territorial and haremic; males spawn with a different female each day (Ref. 9710). One or more territories are occupied and defended each by a female where a single large male stands guard (Ref. 55082). All sexually mature females are territorial females (Ref. 55082). Demersal spawner (Ref. 35298). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| poisonous to eat |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
