Animal Species:Blacksaddle Toby, Canthigaster valentini (Bleeker, 1853)

The Blacksaddle Toby can be recognised by the dark saddles on the side of the body and stripes across the snout.  The species occurs throughout the tropical, marine Indo-Pacific.

Blacksaddle Toby at Pixie's Pinnacle

Blacksaddle Toby at Pixie's Pinnacle
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Banded Toby, Black-saddled Toby, Saddled Puffer, Striped Toby, Valentin's Sharpnose Pufferfish

Identification

The Blacksaddle Toby can be recognised by the dark saddles on the side of the body and stripes across the snout.

There are about 25 species of sharpnose puffers in the genus.

Size range

The species grows to about 10 cm in length.

Similar Species

The Blacksaddle Toby looks similar to the Crowned Puffer, Canthigaster coronata and the Mimic Leatherjacket, Paraluteres prionurus.

Distribution

The species occurs throughout the tropical, marine Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is found at the offshore islands of north-western Western Australia and from northern Queensland to southern New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Blacksaddle Toby specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species is common on shallow, sheltered reefs.

Classification

Species:
valentini
Genus:
Canthigaster
Family:
Tetraodontidae
Order:
Tetraodontiformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston publishing. Pp. 180.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Blacksaddle Toby, Canthigaster valentini, Tetraodontidae,