Arothron hispidus (Linnaeus 1758)

English Name: Whitespotted pufferfish
Family: TETRAODONTIDAE
Local Name: Lahjehi koli
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Size: Max. 48 cm
Specimen: MRS/P0482/97

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10-Il rays. Anal fin with 10-11 rays. Pectoral fin with 17-19 rays. Small spinules on head and body except snout and posterior caudal peduncle. Nostril consisting of two fleshy flaps from a common base (characteristic of the genus). Caudal fin rounded.

Colour: Greyish to greenish brown with small white spots on head, back and sides. I or 2 yellow rings and several yellow spots around pectoral fin. 2-5 bars across sides, always a short dark bar below eye and another below pectoral fin.

Habitatand Biology: Generally found in shallow protected areas to depths of 25 m. Juveniles seen in weedy areas. Diet highly varied; feeding on molluscs, tunicates, sponges, corals, anemones, crabs, tubeworms, sea urchins, brittle stars and starfishes (including crown-of-thorns), and hydroids.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific.

Remarks: Arothron hispidus like other pufferfishes, is highly poisonous. The degree of toxicity of puffer fishes varies greatly with the species and apparently also with geographical area and season.