The Spotted Puffer is the most common name for Arothron meleagris, it is also known as the Guineafowl Pufferfish, Golden Puffer, Botete Negro, White Spotted Pufferfish, Botete de Oro and the Golden Pufferfish, individuals occur in two distinct color phases: black with white spots, and golden yellow.
Popular Name: Spotted Puffer Fish Species: Arothron meleagris
Profile of the Spotted Puffer Fish
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Spotted Puffer Fish species.
Size: up to 12 inches
Fish Tank conditions: Temperature 77 °F - pH 8.2 - 125 gallons minimum tank size.
Diet / Feeding: Mainly branching corals and occasionally, sponges, molluscs, bryozoans, tunicates, forams, and algae.
Habitat: Marine reef areas; depth range 3 - 24 m
Behaviour of Spotted Puffer: Non aggressive to similar size species
Range: Indo-pan-Pacific
Scientific Classification of the Spotted Puffer
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.
Species: Arothron meleagris;
Popular Names: White Spotted Pufferfish - Guineafowl Pufferfish - Golden Puffer - Botete Negro - Botete de Oro - Golden Pufferfish
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Tetraodontidae
Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Spotted Puffer Fish?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!
Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Spotted Puffer Fish slimy?
Spotted Puffer Fish secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Spotted Puffer Fish to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.
Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Spotted Puffer Fish have gills?
Gills enable the Spotted Puffer to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.
Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Spotted Puffer Fish have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:
Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Spotted Puffer Fish has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.
Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Spotted Puffer Fish has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.
Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The White Spotted Puffer Fish has Caudal fins to propel through the water.
Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Spotted Puffer has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement.
Spotted Puffer Fish
Interesting Information about Spotted Puffer Fish
Facts about Fish Species - Why are Spotted Puffer Fish slimy?
Why do the Spotted Puffer Fish have gills?
Facts about Fish Species - Why do the Spotted Puffer Fish have fins?
Species: Arothron meleagris
Facts about Spotted Puffer Fish
Puffer fish are called 'fugu' in Japan where they are a very expensive delicacy despite being extremely poisonous
There are over 120 different species of puffer fish
Facts about Spotted Puffer Fish
A single Puffer fish contains enough poison to kill 30 humans!
Sharks eat puffer fish; they are not affected by its poison
