Canthigaster rivulata (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850)

Size

Canthigaster rivulata is a fish that reaches a total length of 15 to 20 cm.

Body Markings

It has two longitudinal dark bands on its body that join together in front of the gill slit; the lower of these two bands is either faint or completely absent. The ventral area of its body is marked with small dark spots.

Caudal Fin Features

Its caudal fin has dark stripes, and there is a dark blotch at the base of the caudal fin.

Distribution Range

This species occurs in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. Its recorded range extends from East Africa south to Natal, South Africa, east to Hawaii, north to southern Japan, and south to northwestern Australia.

Habitat and Depth

It is typically found near rocky and coral reefs down to 100 metres depth, and is also found near shorelines at around 30 metres depth.

Toxin Presence

This fish contains the poison tetrodotoxin, which is found in the intestine and liver, and is most concentrated in the skin and the mucus produced by the skin. Unlike most other pufferfish, tetrodotoxin is not present in its muscle tissue or ovaries.

Contamination Risk

Direct contact with the fish's toxin-containing mucus carries a high risk of contamination to other fish or humans.