Dog-faced Puffer Fish

Description:

The blackspotted puffer or dog-faced puffer, Arothron nigropunctatus, is a pufferfish of the family Tetraodontidae, and can be found in reefs throughout the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. It reaches a maximum length of 33 cm. It has a round shape with a head and snout which at times looks like a seal or a dog. It can come in a variety of colors, although most commonly blue. The distinctive identifying item are the black spots. It feeds on algae, corals, sponges, sea squirts, crustaceans and molluscs. Like most puffers, blackspotted puffers are highly poisonous, making them dangerous or even deadly to eat. In order to ward off potential enemies, they can inflate their bodies by swallowing air or water. These creatures are the second most poisonous creature in the world, first being the Golden Poison Frog.