Checkered puffer (Sphoeroides testudineus) fish species and information / pictures of Checkered puffer - Sphoeroides testudineus

Checkered puffer (Sphoeroides testudineus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Sphoeroides testudineus

Common Name
Checkered puffer

Biology
Commonly found in bays, tidal creeks and protected coastal waters, especially on seagrass beds, and in brackish water. Rare or absent on coral reefs. Does not form schools, but may form huge aggregates. Hides in the sand when frightened (Ref. 9710). Feeds mainly on bivalves, gastropods, foraminiferans and several other benthic invertebrates specially crustaceans, which it crushes with its powerful teeth (Ref. 35237). To ward off predators, it inflates itself like a balloon. Highly toxic; used to poison cats and dogs (Ref. 2861).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Puffers and Filefishes (Tetraodontiformes)

Family

Puffers (Tetraodontidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Rhode Island, USA to southeastern Brazil.

Range

42°N - 24°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

48 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range ? - 48 m (Ref. 9710)

Trophic Level

3.24 s.e. 0.46 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

38.8 cm

Common Length

20.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (26 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.51; rel. fec=1.146 eggs/ g body weight)

Threat To Humans

Poisonous to eat (Ref. 3821)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated