Valentin's sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster valentini)

Scientific name: Canthigaster valentini Bleeker, 1853

The Valentin's sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster valentini) is a marine fish of the family Tetraodontidae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea south to Durban, South Africa and east to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.

Biology

Found among coral heads and rocks of subtidal lagoon and seaward reefs. Common on coastal reefs at various depths. Mimic filefish, males are territorial and are often seen fighting. Feed mainly on filamentous green and red algae, tunicates, and on smaller amounts of corals, bryozoans, polychaetes, echinoderms, mollusks, and brown and coralline red algae. Form shoals (10-100 or more) often with the filefish, Paraluteres prionurus (about 5% of shoal) mimicking C. valentini to protect it from predators. Territorial and haremic; males spawn with a different female each day. One or more territories are occupied and defended each by a female where a single large male stands guard. All sexually mature females are territorial females. Demersal spawner.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Canthigaster valentini
Family: Tetraodontidae (Puffers)
Order: Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and Filefishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 11.0
Depth range: 1–55 m (3–180 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 55 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Durban, South Africa and east to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Poisonous to eat
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fecundity = 400)