Lagocephalus sceleratus (Forster, 1788)

English Name: Silverstripe pufferfish
Family: TETRAODONTIDAE
Local Name: Giulhu koli
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Size: Max. 85 cm
Specimen: MRS/P0484/97

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Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10-12 rays. Anal fin with 8-11 rays. Pectoral fin with 15-18 rays. Body almost square in cross-section. Body and caudal peduncle elongate, depressed. Spinules on backextend past dorsal fin almost to caudal fin. Caudal fin moderately lunate.

Colour: Dorsal surface greenish with dark brown or black spots. Belly white. A broad silver band along sides from mouth to caudal fin. A silver blotch in front of eye. Pectoral base and inside of gill opening black.

Habitat and Biology: Pelagic and oceanic, but occasionally coming closer to reefs.

Distribution: Indo-West Pacific.

Remarks: Lagocepha/us sceleratus is one of the largest species of the family. It is notcommon in Maldives. Previously recorded under the family Lagocephalidae. A highly poisonous fish. The skin, liver, andparticularly ovaries of most puffer (perhaps all) species contain an extremely potent alkaloid poison called tetrodotoxin.