Species · GBIF taxon 9285041
Green Spotted Puffer
Dichotomyctere nigroviridisAlso known as GSP, Spotted Green Puffer, Burmese Pufferfish
Green spotted puffers are highly active, curious predators that navigate brackish estuaries using helicopter-like pectoral fin movements. They possess a fused, beak-like jaw designed to crush the hard shells of snails, crabs, and other invertebrates. When threatened, they inflate their bodies with water or air, transforming into a prickly, unswallowable ball to deter predators.
BrackishIntelligentCarnivorous
Licensed referenceMattia Nocciola / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Carnivorous (mollusks, crustaceans, and small invertebrates)
- family
- Tetraodontidae
- threats
- Habitat degradation, pollution, and overcollection for the aquarium trade
- life Span
- 10 to 15 years
LC
Tissues contain lethal tetrodotoxin and their sharp beak can bite; never ingest and avoid handling directly.
Tissues contain tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin that is lethal if ingested, and their fused teeth can deliver a painful bite.
Never touch or handle without thick protective gloves, and never consume under any circumstances.- Observe Feeding: Watch them hunt snails to see how they use their powerful beak to crush shells.
- Recognize Curiosity: Look for their expressive eyes tracking movement outside the glass or in the water.
- Avoid Provocation: Never intentionally scare them into inflating, as this causes extreme stress.