Species: Lagocephalus lagocephalus, Oceanic Puffer

Lagocephalus lagocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Oceanic Puffer

Body elongate, inflatable; snout longer than distance between eyes; eyes high on sides of head; nasal organs consist of 2 holes on side of snout; jaws are a beak composed of 4 fused heavy powerful teeth with a central suture on each jaw; mouth small, beak projecting; a slit-like gill opening in front of the pectoral fin base; a single short- based dorsal fin at rear of body; a similar-shaped anal fin below the dorsal; dorsal fin (13-15) and anal fin (11-13) both pointed; pectoral fins 13-16; no pelvic fins; no spines in the fins; tail base slender (depth < ½ length); tail fin slightly concave, lower lobe longer, with 10 main rays; tough scaleless skin; body smooth except for small spines from chin to anus and on belly.

Upper body and head dark green, brownish grey or dark blue; flanks silver with black spots; white belly; fins dark, lower 1/3 of pectoral white; Juvenile with 9 dark bars.

Size: 61 cm.

Habitat: pelagic, oceanic, but may enter estuaries.

Depth: 0 - 483 m.

Circumtropical; Bermuda to Brazil.