Sphoeroides maculatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Northern puffer
Sphoeroides maculatus
photo by JJPhoto

 Family:  Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae
 Max. size:  36 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  demersal; depth range 10 - 183 m
 Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Newfoundland in Canada to northeastern Florida in USA.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 7-7. Upper side grey or brown with poorly defined black spots and saddles. Belly yellow to white. Tiny jet-black pepper spots (about 1 mm in diameter) scattered over most of pigmented surface, particularly evident on cheeks. Lower sides with a row of black, elongate, bar-like markings. No lappets on head or body (Ref 53033).
 Biology:  Inhabits bays, estuaries and protected coastal waters. Sold as `sea squab' in northern part of range. Feeds primarily on shellfish, occasionally on finfish. Reportedly non-toxic.
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Luna, Susan M. - 17.10.90
 Modified by: Bailly, Nicolas - 15.07.13
 Checked by: Torres, Armi G. - 02.09.94

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