Bandtail puffer (Sphoeroides spengleri)

Scientific name: Sphoeroides spengleri Bloch, 1785

The Bandtail puffer (Sphoeroides spengleri) is a brackish-water fish of the family Tetraodontidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Massachusetts, USA to Santa Catarina, Brazil. Replaced by Sphoeroides marmoratus in the eastern Atlantic (P. Wirtz, pers. comm. 10/04).

Biology

Dorsal soft rays (total): 9. 11-14 sharply defined round black spots on head and lower side of body. The numerous tan lappers on the rear part of the body and distinct spots along the lower side make it unmistakable.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Sphoeroides spengleri
Family: Tetraodontidae (Puffers)
Order: Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and Filefishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 30.0
Common length: 12.0
Depth range: 2–70 m (7–230 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 70 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA to Santa Catarina, Brazil. Replaced by Sphoeroides marmoratus in the eastern Atlantic (P. Wirtz, pers. comm. 10/04).
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Poisonous to eat
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)