Fauna
Fish

Web Burrfish

Chilomycterus antillarum

Also known as Spiny Box Puffer, Bridled Burrfish

Gliding slowly across shallow seagrass beds and coral reefs, the web burrfish maneuvers with precise, undulating movements of its dorsal and pectoral fins. When threatened, it inflates its body with water to form an imposing sphere of rigid, triangular spines that thwart most predators. Powerful fused beak-like jaws allow it to easily crush the hard shells of hermit crabs, snails, and sea urchins.

Reef DwellerCarnivorousSpiny
Web Burrfish reference1 / 4
(c) Pauline Walsh Jacobson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Pauline Walsh Jacobson · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyHermit Crabs, Marine Snails, Sea Urchins
Predators
  • Tiger Shark
  • Great Barracuda
  • Goliath Grouper
ThreatsCoastal habitat degradation, bycatch in trawls, and aquarium trade collection
HabitatsSeagrass meadows, coral reefs, and sandy coastal shallows
Life span5–10 years
Classification
  1. OrderTetraodontiformes
  2. FamilyDiodontidae
  3. GenusChilomycterus
  4. SpeciesChilomycterus antillarum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Tissues contain dangerous neurotoxins; safe to observe underwater but never consume.
Why it is dangerous
Internal organs and skin can harbor tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin that causes paralysis, respiratory failure, and death if ingested.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a boxy body adorned with fixed triangular spines and an intricate web-like network of dark lines covering the back.
What to do
Never prepare or consume this fish, and avoid handling live specimens as punctures from the spines can cause painful wounds.
Responsible observation
  • Diving Etiquette: Maintain several feet of distance to avoid stressing the fish into inflating unnecessarily.
  • Handling Precaution: Avoid touching or netting, as sharp fixed spines can easily puncture skin.
Related species
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