Northern puffer (Sphoeroides maculatus) fish species and information / pictures of Northern puffer - Sphoeroides maculatus

Northern puffer (Sphoeroides maculatus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Sphoeroides maculatus

Common Name
Northern puffer

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 7. Upper side grey or brown with poorly defined black spots and saddles. Belly yellow to white. Tiny jet-black pepper spots (about 1 mm in diameter) scattered over most of pigmented surface, particularly evident on cheeks. Lower sides with a row of black, elongate, bar-like markings. No lappets on head or body (Ref 53033).

Classification

Classified By
Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Puffers and Filefishes (Tetraodontiformes)
Family
Puffers (Tetraodontidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Newfoundland in Canada to northeastern Florida in USA.
Range
54°N - 29°N

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
10 m
Depth To - meters
183 m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 10 - 183 m (Ref. 5951)
Trophic Level
4.04 s.e. 0.66 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
36.0 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: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Low vulnerability (24 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.6)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated