Masked puffer
| Masked puffer Arothron diadematus | |
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| Species: | A. diadematus
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| Arothron diadematus (Rüppell, 1829)
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The masked puffer (Arothron diadematus) is a pufferfish in the family Tetraodontidae.
Distribution
Red Sea only.
Description
Maximum length 30 cm, olive-green/grey with a black mask over the eyes and pectoral fins, mouth has a black border.[1] Usually solitary but schools during mating period. Some authors believe this to be a variation of the species Arothron nigropunctatus.[2]
Habitat
Associated with coral reefs, from surface to 20m depth.[1] The masked puffer will land in a low grotto and produce a very viscous sperm out of its lower anal cavity. It uses own sperm as a base habitat; over the course of the next week the masked puffer will borrow and create a home with the genital sperm. The sperm produces a very effective disguise and mask of scent, reducing its predators. When the sperm starts to become a mold the masked puffer will migrate to a different grotto and repeat the cycle.
Gallery
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Masked puffer face detail -
Masked puffer at night, resting (sleeping?) on a coral outcrop
References
- ^ a b Siliotti, A. (2002) fishes of the red sea Verona, Geodia ISBN 88-87177-42-2
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2007). "Arothron diadematus" in FishBase. 5 2007 version.