Fahaka pufferfish
The fahaka pufferfish (from Arabic: فهقة), also known as the Nile puffer, globe fish, lineatus puffer (Tetraodon lineatus), is a tropical freshwater pufferfish found in the upper Nile, Chad, Senegal, Gambia, Geba, Volta and Turkana basins in West, Northeast and East Africa.[1][2]
Fahaka pufferfish | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
Family: | Tetraodontidae |
Genus: | Tetraodon |
Species: | T. lineatus |
Binomial name | |
Tetraodon lineatus | |
Characteristics
Fahaka pufferfish can reach up to 43 cm (1.4 ft) in length.[2] Like all puffers they have the ability to inflate when threatened and carry the toxin tetrodotoxin. Fahaka pufferfish, like other molluscivores, feed mainly on benthic organisms which may include freshwater mussels and snails.[2] They are typically found in large rivers, open water, weed beds and vegetated fringes.[2]
References
- Akinyi, E.; Azeroual, A.; Bousso, T.; Getahun, A. & Lalèyè, P. (2010). "Tetraodon lineatus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2010: e.T181807A7740095. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T181807A7740095.en. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2017). "Tetraodon lineatus" in FishBase. January 2017 version.
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