Sphoeroides pachygaster
Sphoeroides pachygaster (Müller & Troschel, 1848)
Blunthead puffer
Sphoeroides pachygaster
photo by Cambraia Duarte, P.M.N. (c)ImagDOP


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Family:  Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae
Max. size:  40.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 50 - 480 m
Distribution:  Circumglobal in tropical and temperate seas.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Body without prickles (Ref. 559). Brownish above, white below; occasionally with dark spots on flanks (Ref. 4919). Tip of or all lower ray of the caudal white.
Biology:  Inhabit sandy, muddy and rocky bottoms (Ref. 2683). Young are pelagic (Ref. 7251). Feed mainly on squid. In southeast Brazil captured between 50 and 145 m (Ref. 47377).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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