Fauna
Species

Blackspotted Puffer

Arothron nigropunctatus

Also known as Dog-faced Puffer

Solitary and slow-moving, blackspotted puffers cruise vibrant reef crests using synchronized ripples of their dorsal and anal fins for precise hovering. Heavy beak-like teeth allow them to clip live coral tips and crack open hard-shelled invertebrates that most other reef dwellers cannot breach. When threatened by larger predators, they rapidly gulp seawater to inflate into a spiny sphere, presenting a daunting deterrent coupled with lethal internal toxins.

MarineCoral ReefToxic
Blackspotted Puffer reference1 / 7
Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyBranching coral, Crabs, Sea urchins
Predators
  • Tiger shark
  • Giant grouper
ThreatsCoral reef bleaching, habitat loss, and harvesting for the marine aquarium trade
HabitatsShallow coral reefs, sheltered lagoons, and outer reef slopes
Life span10–15 years
Classification
  1. OrderTetraodontiformes
  2. FamilyTetraodontidae
  3. GenusArothron
  4. SpeciesArothron nigropunctatus
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 lethal tetrodotoxin; never ingest and give swimming fish plenty of space.
Why it is dangerous
Internal organs and skin carry deadly tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin that causes numbness, muscular paralysis, and respiratory failure if eaten.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by a velvety grey, bluish, or yellowish body covered in scattered black dots and a dark muzzle resembling a dog.
What to do
Never harvest or prepare wild individuals for food, and refrain from touching wild fish while diving or snorkeling.
Responsible observation
  • Diving Etiquette: Maintain neutral buoyancy and keep a respectful distance without cornering the fish against the reef.
  • Stress Prevention: Never poke or chase puffers to force inflation, which causes extreme physical exhaustion and stress.
Related species
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