The masked puffer (Arothron diadematus) is a pufferfish in the family Tetraodontidae.
| Masked puffer | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Tetraodontidae |
| Genus: | Arothron |
| Species: | A. diadematus |
| Binomial name | |
| Arothron diadematus (Rüppell, 1829) | |
Distribution
editRed Sea only.
Description
editMaximum length 30 cm, olive-green/grey with a black mask over the eyes and pectoral fins, mouth has a black border.[2] Usually solitary but schools during mating period. Some authors believe this to be a variation of the species Arothron nigropunctatus.[3]
Habitat
editAssociated with coral reefs, from surface to 20m depth.[2]
Gallery
edit- Masked puffer face detail
- Masked puffer at night, resting (sleeping?) on a coral outcrop
- View of the back
References
edit- ↑ Shao, K.; Liu, M.; Jing, L.; Hardy, G.; Leis, J.L.; Matsuura, K. (2014). "Arothron diadematus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014 e.T193722A2266549. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T193722A2266549.en. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- 1 2 Siliotti, A. (2002) fishes of the red sea Verona, Geodia ISBN 88-87177-42-2
- ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Arothron diadematus". FishBase. May 2007 version.
External links
edit- Photos of Masked puffer in the Sealife Collection