Family: BALISTIDAE
Local Name: Falhu rondu
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Size: Max. 20 cm
Specimen: MRS/055/86
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 3 spines and 26-28 rays. Anal fin with 23-26 rays.. Pectoral fin with 12-14 rays. Deep groove before eye. Longitudinal rows of small spines following scale centers on about posterior third of body. Dorsal and anal fins slightly elevated anteriorly. Caudal fin truncate to slightly rounded with acute corners.
Colour: Dark brownish with one pale streak from eye to lower pectoral base and another short one above gill opening. Lower part of head and abdomen dark blue or purplish. Caudal fin brownish yellow, broadly edged in white.
Habitat and Biology: Usually seen in sheltered reefs and lagoons. Feeds on benthic invertebrates.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
Remarks: Sufflamen chrvsopterus is replaced in the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman by the closely related
S. a/hicaudatus (Ruppell), which differs in having a broad white zone across basal part of caudal fin.
