Arothron hispidus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : White-spotted puffer
French : Poisson-ballon à taches blanches

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

Identification
Adults can grow to 50 cm in length for a weight of 2 kg at least. Unmistakable. Coloration mostly grey to olive-grey with white dots on the whole body and tail fin. Other fins yellow with black base. Clear belly with distinct white stripes.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii, Lord Howe Island and eastwards to Baja California, south to Panama. Lives in coastal bays, estuaries, rocky and coral reefs down to 50 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is able to live in a wide variety of habitats and remains widespread. It is regularly harvested for the trade and this needs monitoring.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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