Arothron mappa

(Lesson, 1831)

Vernacular names
English : Map puffer
French : Poisson-ballon griffonné

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

Identification
Large Arothron species reaching 65 cm in length. Ground coloration usually marbled brown-beige to grey or dark brown. Body covered with dark and white vermiculations, even on belly. Black area found under pectoral fin, on lower flanks.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from east Africa, south to South Africa, eastwards to south Japan, Queensland, New Caledonia and Samoa. Lives in lagoons, seaward reefs and coral reef drop-offs, to 30 meters deep at least.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a very large range but is at risk from habitat loss. It is occasionally caught for trade and also by fisheries targeting pufferfishes.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Puffers and relatives” page