Puffer Northern
Northern Puffer
Swell Toad, Blowfish, Blowtoad, Sea Squab
Sphoeroides maculatus

Description:

Elongated and cylindrical body when deflated, spherical when inflated, that tapers to a truncate tail. Upper half of the body/back brown/tan, olive-green, or gray. Dark vertical bars mixed with dark spots along the sides of the body Numerous small black spots on upper body. Belly appears yellow/white.Skin scaleless and covered with short and pointed spines. Blunt head with eyes located on the upper portion of its head. Jaws appear beak-like as a result of four fused plates- two on the upper jaw and two on the lower jaw. No pelvic fins

Average Maximum Size:

25 cm (10 in)

Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:

Northern Puffer have dark vertical bars and spots with yellow pigmentation against a white belly. Prickles on its belly extend past its anus, whereas Smooth Puffer belly prickles do not go past the anus. Northern Puffer lack the spines on its back of the Striped Burrfish.

Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:

Range:

Newfoundland to NE Florida

Habitat:

Shallow coatal and inshore waters in a variety of habitats

Notes:

Regulated Species:

No

Regulations Website:

Species: Sphoeroides maculatus
Family: Tetraodontidae
Family Description: Puffer
Mouth Type: Terminal
Tail Type: Truncate, Double Emarginate
Dorsal Type: Single

Similar Species

Click on the image below to view details.

Puffer Smooth
Smooth Puffer