Canthigasterjanthinoptera (Bleeker, 1855)

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English Name: Honeycomb sharpnosed puffer
Family: TETRAODONTIDAE
Local Name: Thijjehi thaakihaa koli
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Size: Max. 7.5 cm
Specimen: MRS/0246/88



Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 9-10 (usually 9) rays. Anal fin with 9-10 (usually 9) rays. Pectoral fin with 16-18 (usually 17) rays.

Colour: Brownish orange with close set pale blue-green spots on head and body and blue-green lines radiating from eyes. A dark ocellus sometimes present at base of dorsal fin. Fins largely unmarked.

Habitatand Biology: Usually found in caves. A cryptic species.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific.

Remarks: Canthigasterjanthinoprera is closely related to the Hawaiian endemic C.jactator (Jenkins) and the Tropical Eastern Pacific C. punctatissirna (Gunther). These small pufferfishes (or tobies) enjoy some freedom from predation as a result of their repelling skin toxin.