Animal Species:Bluespotted Puffer, Arothron caeruleopunctatus (Matsuura, 1994)

As its standard name would imply, the Bluespotted Puffer has blue spots on the body as well as rings around the eyes. This species is usually found in coral reef waters.

A Bluespotted Puffer at Tak's Mooring

A Bluespotted Puffer at Tak's Mooring
Ákos Lumnitzer © Ákos Lumnitzer

Identification

The Bluespotted Puffer can be recognised by its colouration. It is yellow or brown dorsally and pale below. There are numerous small dark-edged blue spots on the body and median fins. The eyes are surrounded by blue and brown rings.

Size range

80 cm

Distribution

This species occurs in coral reef waters of the Indo-West Pacific.

In Australia it is known from the Coral Sea, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Arothron caeruleopunctatus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Bluespotted Puffer specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is usually found in coral reef waters.

Classification

Species:
caeruleopunctatus
Genus:
Arothron
Family:
Tetraodontidae
Order:
Tetraodontiformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Randall, J.E. 2005. Reef and Shore Fishes of the South Pacific: New Caledonia to Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands. University of Hawai’i Press. Pp. 584.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fish, fishes, ichthyology, Arothron, caeruleopunctatus, Bluespotted, Puffer, brown, pink, blue, white, black, 'normal fish', 30 cm - 1 m, blotches/mottled, complex pattern, coral reef, marine, adult,