Arothron reticularis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Reticulated pufferfish
photo by Greenfield, J.

Family:  Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae
Max. size:  45 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 25 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: India eastward through Indonesia to New Guinea, northward to southern Japan, southward to northern Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Body covered with prickles. White lines encircling eye (Ref. 559). Description: Characterized further by having curved light and dark bands on snout, cheek and belly; head and body with spinules except around mouth and posterior caudal peduncle, best developed spinules on ventral surface; short snout. Length about 2.0-2.3 in head length; rounded caudal fin, length 4.0-5.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs in shallow water reefs near sand or seaweed areas. Also found in estuaries and protected muddy bays; juveniles in mangroves and entering the lower reaches of streams (Ref. 9407, 48637). Solitary (Ref. 90102). Adults at moderate depths, often laying on the mud during the day (Ref. 48637).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 August 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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