Masked puffer

The masked puffer (Arothron diadematus) is a pufferfish in the family Tetraodontidae.

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)

Distribution

Red Sea only.

Description

Maximum length 30 cm, 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] The masked puffer will land in a low grotto and produce a very viscous sperm out of its lower anal cavity. It uses own sperm as a base habitat; over the course of the next week the masked puffer will borrow and create a home with the genital sperm. The sperm produces a very effective disguise and mask of scent, reducing its predators. When the sperm starts to become a mold the masked puffer will migrate to a different grotto and repeat the cycle.

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

References
  1. Siliotti, A. (2002) fishes of the red sea Verona, Geodia ISBN 88-87177-42-2
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2007). "Arothron diadematus" in FishBase. 5 2007 version.


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