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Torquigener flavimaculosus Hardy & Randall, 1983 Yellowspotted puffer |
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photo by
Randall, J.E. |
| Family: | Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae | |||
| Max. size: | 16 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 57 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Indian Ocean: northern Red Sea and Kenya; a recent emigrant to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal. Also reported from the Persian Gulf and Seychelles. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal soft rays: 7-8. This species is distinguished by the following characters: with spinules between nasal organs and dorsal-fin origin; dorsal surface of head and body with many small brownish dots, forming rosettes enclosing larger white spots; areas of small yellowish brown spots on the cheek may form broad vertical bands, separated by irregular narrow white bands; belly white; fins pale (Ref. 127964). | |||
| Biology: | ||||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 June 2011 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | venomous | |||