Arothron caeruleopunctatus

(Matsuura, 1994)

Vernacular names
English : Blue-spotted puffer
French : Poisson-ballon à taches bleues

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Tetraodontiformes
Family : Tetraodontidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Huge puffer species reaching 80 cm in length. Clear tail-fin edge. Body coloration variable, from greyish blue with greenish back to olive-grey. Multiple light blue to turquoise dots on face and flanks. Whitish concentric lines around eyes.

Range and habitat
The species lives in the Indo-Pacific area, from Reunion and Maldives to New Guinea and the Coral sea, north to southern Japan. Lives in coral reefs in tropical and temperate waters, to 50 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is widespread but its dependence to coral reefs is a possible threat. Occasionally caught for the trade but only in small numbers.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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