| Family: |
Triodontidae (Three-toothed puffer) |
| Max. size: |
54 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 50 - 300 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: East Africa to the Philippines, north to Japan, south to Australia and New Caledonia. Recently reported from Tonga (Ref. 53797). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-10. This species is easily distinguished from superficially similar tetraodontid and diodontid larvae or early juveniles of comparable size by the following characters: separate premaxillae in conjunction with fused dentaries; with multicuspid spinoid scales; a jet-black mark in front of the soft dorsal fin; the developing pelvis, which is visible through the distended skin of the belly; with a number of procurrent caudal fin rays. It differs from the adult in having a huge head that measures 45% SL (vs. 28.5-32.7% in adult), absence of the characteristic dewlap with the conspicuous lateral ocellus, and structures of the scales and nostrils (Ref. 54815). Body yellowish-brown; belly flap white except for a yellow area around a black blotch (Ref. 4419). |
| Biology: |
Rare species (Ref. 4419). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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