Reticulated Puffer

Reticulated Puffer (Arothron reticularis)

The reticulated pufferfish, reticulated blowfish, or reticulated toadfish is a ray-finned fish belonging to the Tetraodontidae family. It is native to the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific region, where it inhabits a variety of environments including sandy and muddy seabed, coral reefs, estuaries, and mangrove areas.

The reticulated pufferfish reaches a length of approximately 425 mm (17 inches). It has an oblong, flabby body covered in short spines. The space between its eyes is broad and flat, and the nostrils are adorned with a small, solid branched tentacle. The lateral line is faint and curves sharply above the anal fin. Both the dorsal and anal fins are rounded, with one or two spines and eight or nine soft rays. Its coloration is primarily brown or deep gray with whitish rounded spots on the dorsal surface, creating a net-like pattern. There are about nine bands of alternating dark and pale colors that extend from near the snout, curving around below the eye, mouth, and pectoral fin base. The gill flap and pectoral fin base feature large blackish blotches. The tail fin is spotted, and the other fins are translucent yellowish-brown.

Reticulated Puffer is distributed throughout the tropical western Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from the east coast of India to southern Japan, south to Australia, and east to Samoa. It is found in both marine and brackish waters, inhabiting depths of up to about 20 meters (66 feet). Preferred habitats include coral reefs near sandy and seaweed-covered areas, sandy regions, seagrass meadows, and mangrove swamps. Juvenile pufferfish are often found in mangroves and occasionally venture into the lower reaches of streams.