Starry Pufferfish (Arothron stellatus)

Juveniles make their home in sandy and weedy inner reefs, adults on clear lagoons and seaward reefs. They can be found from the Eastern coast of Africa and the Red Sea to the Indo-pacific region. This species is considered as the giant among puffers reaching a total length well in excess of 3 feet.

Puffers have a very neat defense mechanism, when they feel threatened, they can ingest air or water to increase their size up to, in some cases, 10 times their normal size. This makes a potential predator think twice about its intended meal.

Puffers are poisonous, which is different from our stingrays, which are venomous. Stingrays have a barb and have to inject that barb to affect you - much like snakes and scorpions. To be affected be a puffer's poison, you have to ingest the animal. If not properly prepared, the poison will begin to act within 10 minutes to 3 hours causing symptoms of nausea, vomiting, muscular weakness, paralysis, respiratory distress, even death with no specific antidote known. Other than eating the puffer, they pose no danger to other animals or humans. Puffers do seem to have a curious nature and don't seem to mind interactions, making them a favorite with many divers.

We have one in our collection that was donated to us by a hobbyist. You may find him resting on a plate coral or tucked up in a corner napping. His spotted pattern helps him blend in very well to his environment, so you may have to search a bit to see him.