 |
Fish Guide |  |
Family: Tetraodontidae (Puffers)
Natural Range: Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Indo-Pacific Region, Western Pacific Ocean
Depth: 10 to 190 ft. Size: 36 in. Jumps: No Space: 300+ gal.
Reef Safe: No Care Level: Difficult Temperament: Caution
Diet: Algae, sponges, benthic invertebrates
Natural History: The Starry Puffer is an uncommon resident of patch reefs and coral slopes. Juveniles are found in weedy inner reefs. Adults are observed swimming high above the substrate, often near the surface. Juveniles are sometimes found in estuaries. The larvae drift with the plankton over great distances and disperse the species across several oceans. The Starry Puffer is likely the world's largest puffer species.
Husbandry: The Starry Puffer may not be aggressive toward other puffers. It may nip at coral polyps. Like all puffers, it can inflate its body to almost twice its normal size so it should be transferred with a container and not a net to avoid inflation.
AKA: Stellate Puffer, Starry Toadfish