Species: Sphoeroides testudineus, Checkered Puffer

Sphoeroides testudineus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Checkered Puffer

Body oblong, thick, inflatable; head blunt; 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 14-15 (13-16); no pelvic fins; no spines in the fins; tail fin edge slightly rounded, with 10 main rays; tough scaleless skin; no skin flaps; prickles cover most of body but are imbedded and not noticeable.

Upper body dark brown with pale yellowish lines forming polygons; a pair of pale bars between eyes; lower sides heavily spotted with black; belly white to yellow.

Size: 30 cm.

Depth: 1-50 m.

Habitat: demersal on sand and mud bottoms around mangroves and estuaries.

New Jersey to Brazil.