Map Pufferfish, Arothron mappa (Linnaeus, 1758)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Map Pufferfish, Arothron mappa (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Map Pufferfish lives on coral reefs. The gill opening and pectoral fin base are both surrounded by a large black botch and black lines radiate from the eye.

Identification

The Map Pufferfish is yellowish-grey dorsally, white ventrally and covered with an intricate pattern of dark lines. The gill opening and pectoral fin base are both surrounded by a large black botch and black lines radiate from the eye.

Size range

The species grows to 60 cm in length.

Distribution

It has an Indo-West Pacific distribution.

In Australia it is known from north-western Western Australia and from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland to northern New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Map pufferfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection

What does this mean?

Habitat

The Map Pufferfish lives on coral reefs.

Classification

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

What does this mean?

References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
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: 22 July 2010

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