TETRAODONTIDAE Puffers By Keiichi Matsuura Arothron caeruleopunctatus Arothron hispidus Arothron immaculatus Arothron mappa Arothron nigropunctatus Arothron reticularis Canthigaster solandri Chelonodon patoca Lagocephalus gloveri Lagocephalus lunaris Takifugu oblongus Tetraodon nigroviridis Small to moderate-sized fishes, most species less than 30 cm, with a heavy blunt body capable of rapid inflation by intake of water (or air). Head large and blunt; jaws modified to form a beak of 4 heavy, powerful teeth, 2 above and 2 below. Gill openings without distinct opercular cover, appearing as simple slits anterior to the pectoral fin; eyes located high on head. Dorsal and anal fins located far posteriorly bearing no spines, but 7 to 15 soft rays; caudal fin usually truncate to slightly rounded; pelvic fins absent. Typical scales absent, but most species are partially covered with tiny prickles or spinules, and many species have small fleshy tabs or lappets on the dorsal and/or lateral surfaces. Color: most species are mottled, variegated, or barred on the upper and lateral surfaces, often with spots of various sizes and colors; ventral surfaces are almost always unpigmented. Similar families occurring in the area. Diodontidae: head and body covered with strong elongate spines; 1 tooth plate in each jaw. Remarks. Occurring in tropical and temperate seas, most frequently in shallow inshore waters, sometimes entering brackish and fresh waters, but a few species are pelagic. The viscera, skin, and blood of most species are poisonous; in some species even the flesh is poisonous. Laymen are strongly recommended not to eat puffers, although connoisseurs like to consume puffers in licensed restaurants in some countries (e.g., Japan).