Arothron diadematus
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Arothron_diadematus".

Masked Puffer
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Tetraodontiformes Family: Tetraodontidae Genus: Arothron Species: A. diadematus
Binomial name
Arothron diadematus (Rüppell, 1829)

Description

Maximum length 30cm, 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]

Distribution

Red Sea only

Masked puffer face detail

Masked puffer at night, resting (sleeping?) on a coral outcrop

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Siliotti, A. (2002) fishes of the red sea Verona, Geodia ISBN 88-87177-42-2
2. ^ "Arothron diadematus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 5 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.