Distinguishing features
A medium to large sized fish with large eyes, and a pale grey body covered with black dots. Swims slowly using the dorsal and anal fins.
Size
- Up to 120 cm (Standard length)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Reef fronts, flats, and sheltered lagoonal and backreef habitats.
Can be found in most locations around the island.
Behaviour
The Starry Puffer feeds on a wide range of prey, such as worms, algae, molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms. The puffers have exceptionally strong, chisel like teeth which they use to render the reef in search of food. They are usually seen singly, moving slowly over the reef or resting in a hollow. There is little published information on their ecology, although they are well known for the poison (tetrodotoxin) contained in their skin and internal organs, which has caused many human fatalities.
Web resources
Danger
- unspecified - This species is poisonous and should not be eaten.
References
- Bierry, P.Y. and A. Aziz bin Hassan (1973). Comparative lethality of tissue extracts from the malaysian puffer fishes, Lagocephalus lunaris lunaris, L., L. spadiceus and Arothron stellatus, Toxicon, 11: 249-254. LIRS catalog number 90147.
- Han, K.H. and Y.U. Kim (1998). Generic Characters of the Fishes of the Family Tetraodontidae (Teleostei: Tetraodontiformes), J. Korean Fish. Soc., 31: 309-316. LIRS catalog number 90148.
- Kuthalingam, M.D.K., G. Luther and J.J. Joel (1973). On some growth stages and food of Arothron stellatus (Bloch) Tetraodontidae: Pisces, Indian Journal of Fisheries, 20: 240-243. LIRS catalog number 90149.
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