Checkered puffer (Sphoeroides testudineus)

Scientific name: Sphoeroides testudineus Linnaeus, 1758

Checkered puffer (Sphoeroides testudineus)

The Checkered puffer (Sphoeroides testudineus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Tetraodontidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Rhode Island, USA to southeastern Brazil.

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. Feeds mainly on bivalves, gastropods, foraminiferans and several other benthic invertebrates specially crustaceans, which it crushes with its powerful teeth. To ward off predators, it inflates itself like a balloon. Highly toxic; used to poison cats and dogs.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Sphoeroides testudineus
Family
Tetraodontidae (Puffers)
Order
Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and Filefishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
38.8
Common length
20.0
Depth range
48 m (157 ft)
Environment
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range ? - 48 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Rhode Island, USA to southeastern Brazil.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Poisonous to eat
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.51; rel. fec=1.146 eggs/ g body weight)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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