Spotted sharpnose-puffer

Appearance

Robust, slightly compressed, inflatable body; head large, blunt; snout long and pointed; 1 pair of small hole-like nostrils; nape with crest between eyes and dorsal fin; eyes high on sides of head; jaws are a small beak composed of 4 fused heavy powerful teeth with a central suture on each jaw; a slit-like gill opening in front of the pectoral fin base; a single short- based dorsal fin at rear of body; a similar-shaped anal fin below the dorsal;dorsal 8-10 (usually 9); anal rays 8-10 (usually 9); pectoral rays 15-18 (usually 17); no pelvic fins; no spines in the fins; tail fin rounded to bluntly straight, with 10 main rays; tough scaleless skin, head and body with scattered tiny spinules, no fleshy skin flaps.

Overall dark brown, often yellowish brown on snout region, numerous small white spots covering head and body & continuing onto basal 1/4-12 of tail fin; sometimes a white line along base of dorsal fin and up to several short white lines radiating from eye ; belly whitish.

Size: grows to 9 cm.

Distribution

Central Gulf of California to Ecuador and all the offshore islands.

Status

Least Concern.

Behavior

Hides in shaded, protected recesses in rocky reefs, boulder strewn slopes and along walls.

Habitat

Common on rocky reefs. Depth: 2-20 m.

Reproduction

Monogamous