Scientific Name
Ephippion guttifer

Common Name
Prickly puffer

Biology
Common in shallow coastal waters, also in estuaries (Ref. 2683), bays and lagoons, as well as in offshore trawling stations. Feeds on crabs, echinoids and mollusks (Ref. 10001). Occurs over hard substrate (Ref. 5377).

Classification

Classified By

Bennett, 1831

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Puffers and Filefishes (Tetraodontiformes)

Family

Puffers (Tetraodontidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: Gibraltar and extreme western Mediterranean southward along the entire west coast of Africa to Angola, near Benguela.

Range

42°N - 13°S, 18°W - 14°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

10 m

Depth To - meters

100 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 10 - 100 m (Ref. 10001)

Trophic Level

3.55 s.e. 0.53 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

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

80.0 cm

Common Length

55.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (55 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated