Arothron caeruleopunctatus Matsuura, 1994
Blue-spotted puffer
Arothron caeruleopunctatus
photo by Randall, J.E.

 Family:  Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae
 Max. size:  80 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 2 - 50 m
 Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Reunion and Maldives, eastward through Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to the Coral Sea, and northward to Japan.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal soft rays: 10-12. Description: Characterized by yellowish brown color on back and side grading to white on belly; presence of alternating light and dark rings around eye; pectoral fin base with black patch with white spots; head, body and median fins with small blue spots; head and body with spinules except posterior caudal peduncle, around eye, gill opening and base of dorsal and anal fins; bony interorbital width 2.4-2.9 in head length; rounded caudal fin, length 4.0-5.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
 Biology:  Found primarily in coral reefs. Also occurs in temperate waters. Solitary (Ref. 90102).
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:  Also Ref. 30829.

 Entered by: Luna, Susan M. - 09.05.95
 Modified by: Bailly, Nicolas - 15.07.13

Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.


Page created by Jen, 05.08.02, php script by kbanasihan 06/09/2010 ,  last modified by dsantos, 20/08/10