Species: Sphoeroides dorsalis, Marbled Puffer

Sphoeroides dorsalis Longley, 1934

Marbled Puffer

Body elongate, inflatable; head relatively long and slender; nasal organ on each side a short papilla with 2 small holes at end; eyes high on sides of head; jaws are a strong beak composed of 4 fused heavy powerful teeth with a central suture on each jaw; 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 with origin under or behind last few dorsal rays; dorsal rays 8, anal rays 7; pectoral usually 16 ( rarely 15 or 17); no pelvic fins; no spines in the fins; tail fin slightly concave, with 10 main rays; tough scaleless skin, 1 pair of skin flaps on back, midway between eye and dorsal fin; upper body skin with prickles from snout back to dorsal fin, and along underside from chin to under pectoral, rarely on belly.

Grey to light brown; 1 pair of black to pale tan skin flaps on upper back; 1-5 diffuse dark blotches on side behind pectoral fin; males with scrawl markings on cheek.

Size: 17.5 cm.

Habitat: demersal on soft bottoms.

Depth: 8-324 m.

North Carolina to Surinam, also in Brazil.