About Arothron reticularis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Arothron reticularis, commonly called the reticulated pufferfish, reaches an approximate total length of 425 mm (17 inches). It has an oblong, flabby-textured body covered in short spines. The region between its eyes is broad and flat, and each nostril bears a small, solid branched tentacle. Its lateral line is indistinct and bends sharply above the anal fin. Both the dorsal and anal fins are rounded; each has one or two spines and eight or nine soft rays. The fish's base body color is brown or deep grey, with whitish rounded spots on its dorsal surface that create a net-like pattern. Roughly nine alternating dark and pale color bands originate near the snout and curve around below the eye, mouth, and pectoral fin base. A large dark blotch appears on the gill flap and at the base of the pectoral fin. The tail fin is spotted, while all other fins are translucent yellowish-brown. This species lives in the tropical western Indo-Pacific, with a range that extends from India's east coast to southern Japan, south to Australia, and east to Samoa. It inhabits marine waters, estuaries, and brackish water at depths down to around 20 meters (66 feet). Favorable habitats include coral reefs adjacent to sandy and seaweed-covered areas, open sandy areas, seagrass meadows, and mangrove regions. Juvenile reticulated pufferfish are often found among mangroves and sometimes enter the lower reaches of streams.
