Arothron nigropunctatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Size

Arothron nigropunctatus is a small fish that reaches a maximum length of 33 cm (1 ft).

Body Shape

Its body is oval, spherical, and relatively elongated.

Skin and Fin Traits

The skin has no scales, the species has no pelvic fins and no lateral line. Its dorsal and anal fins are small, symmetric, and positioned at the end of the body.

Head and Mouth Structure

It has a short snout with two pairs of nostrils, and a terminal mouth that holds four strong teeth.

Base Body Coloration

The body's background coloration is variable, and can be grey, light brown, blue, dark blue, bright yellow, or orange-yellow; it may also be bi-colored, such as a combination of blue and yellow.

Dark Markings

Dark coloring appears around the eyes and mouth, and the entire skin is scattered with dark blotches that vary in size and shape.

Similar Species Confusion

Yellow morphs of Arothron nigropunctatus are often hard to tell apart from yellow morphs of Arothron meleagris. Suspected hybrids between these two species have also been recorded on Réunion Island.

Distribution Range

This species occurs in tropical waters ranging from the Indian Ocean to the central islands of the Pacific Ocean, an area roughly matching the Indo-Pacific, but it is not found in the Red Sea.

Habitat and Depth

It inhabits areas near external reef slopes and lagoons, from the surface down to 25 m (82 ft) in depth.