Species Type:
Fishes
Common Name(s):
Map puffer
Size:
These medium sized fish can grow up 25.6 inches (65 centimeters) in length.
Diet:
As a bottom feeder, this fish preys on benthic invertebrates, sponges and various kinds of algae.
Range & Habitat:
The map puffer can be found in or near tropical and subtropical coral reef environments and lagoon ecosystems. They're distributed from Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Details:
Map puffers have a distinctive map-like pattern on their body, which is how it earned its name. These puffers can inflate their bodies to several times their normal size to ward off predators, creating a nearly impenetrable barrier of spines. Like many pufferfish, the map puffer contains a toxin which makes them highly poisonous if not prepared correctly in certain cuisines.