Northern Puffer
Sphoeroides maculatus
Also known as: Blowfish, Chicken-of-the-Sea, Green-eye, Northern Pufferfish, Pufferfish, Swellfish, Swelling Toad, Swelltoad, Toadfish
- Blowfish
- Chicken-of-the-Sea
- Green-eye
- Northern Pufferfish
- Pufferfish
- Swellfish
- Swelling Toad
- Swelltoad
- Toadfish
Overview
Found over rubble, sand, and seagrass beds, hiding, by burying in the sand when alarmed, over protected, shallow, coastal bays and estuaries.
The bodies of Pufferfish are covered in a toxic mucus, if the skin or flesh is consumed it can be fatal to humans.
When threatened they will puff up like a football to deter predators.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Western Atlantic
- Country only · 1
Found over rubble, sand, and seagrass beds, hiding, by burying in the sand when alarmed, over protected, shallow, coastal bays and estuaries.
Adult photos 1
Discussion
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Deep dive
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