Ferocious Puffer, Feroxodon multistriatus (Richardson, 1854)

Scientific name: Feroxodon multistriatus
Alternative name/s:
Ferocious Pufferfish, Many-striped Pufferfish, Striped Toado
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    19/02/19
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Ferocious Puffer, Feroxodon multistriatus Click to enlarge image
A Ferocious Puffer at a depth of 3m, North Direction Island, Queensland, 30 Dec 2012. Image: Anne Hoggett
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Feroxodon
    Species
    multistriatus
    Family
    Tetraodontidae
    Order
    Tetraodontiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to at least 90 cm in length.

Introduction

The Ferocious Puffer can be recognised by its distinctive colouration and gets its name from its unprovoked attacks on people.

Identification

The Ferocious Puffer can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. It has curved posteriorly sloping lines on the head and body. The lower regions of the head, body and caudal peduncle are spotted.

Distribution

The species occurs throughout the Indo-West Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from off north-western Western Australia, around the tropical north, and south to northern New South Wales.

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

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Economic impacts

Its common name comes from its unprovoked attacks on people. It has been known to bite off the toes of swimmers.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292. (as Anchisomus multistriatus)
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201. (as Anchisomus multistriatus)
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.