Blacksaddle Toby, Canthigaster valentini Click to enlarge image
A Blacksaddle Toby at "Pixie's Pinnacle", Ribbon Reefs, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, December 1999. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Canthigaster
    Species
    valentini
    Family
    Tetraodontidae
    Order
    Tetraodontiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 10 cm in length.

Introduction

The Blacksaddle Toby can be recognised by the dark saddles on the side of the body and stripes across the snout. The species occurs throughout the tropical, marine Indo-Pacific.



Identification

The Blacksaddle Toby can be recognised by the dark saddles on the side of the body and stripes across the snout.

There are about 25 species of sharpnose puffers in the genus.

Habitat

The species is common on shallow, sheltered reefs.

Distribution

The species occurs throughout the tropical, marine Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is found at the offshore islands of north-western Western Australia and from northern Queensland to southern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.


Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

References

  1. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston publishing. Pp. 180.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.