Spotted Sharpnose Puffer

Family: Puffers (Tetraodontidae)
Size: Up to 9 cm (3.5 in)
Depth: 1 – 21m (3 – 70ft)

Distribution: Eastern Tropical Pacific (Gulf of California to Panama, Colombia, and the Galapagos Islands).

Identification: A tiny, highly maneuverable puffer with a distinctive pointed face.

• The "Sharp" Nose: Unlike the blunt, rounded faces of larger puffers or porcupinefish, this species has a distinct, elongated, and pointed snout designed for picking small prey out of tight crevices.
• White Polka Dots: The body is typically dark reddish-brown or olive, heavily covered in small, bright white or pale blue spots.
• Eye Radiations: Look closely at the face—they often have striking blue or white lines radiating outward from their eyes.

Behavior: A shy but active benthic forager.

• Reef Hovering: They are almost always found hovering just inches above the rocky reef or coral rubble, moving with a jerky, hovering motion using their small pectoral and dorsal fins.
• Toxin Defense: While they can inflate their bodies with water to deter predators like other puffers, they also possess tetrodotoxin in their skin and organs, making them highly toxic to eat.