| Family: |
Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae |
| Max. size: |
16 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 57 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: northern Red Sea and Kenya; a recent emigrant to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal. Also reported from the Persian Gulf and Seychelles. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal soft rays: 7-8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: with spinules between nasal organs and dorsal-fin origin; dorsal surface of head and body with many small brownish dots, forming rosettes enclosing larger white spots; areas of small yellowish brown spots on the cheek may form broad vertical bands, separated by irregular narrow white bands; belly white; fins pale (Ref. 127964). |
| Biology: |
|
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
venomous |
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