Map pufferfish

Arothron mappa

Size: 40–65 cm · 2–5 kg
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Diurnal
Sociality: Solitary
Lifespan: 10–15 years

The map pufferfish is a large puffer marked with maze-like lines. It searches reefs for bottom-dwelling prey and inflates when threatened.

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Key facts

Map pufferfish (Arothron mappa) is a carnivore animal classified as Fish · Tetraodontiformes · Tetraodontidae.
Primary habitats are coral reef · open ocean, with a range across Pacific Ocean · Indian Ocean.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The map pufferfish is a large puffer marked with maze-like lines.
It lives in lagoons, coral reefs, and outer reef slopes across the Pacific, the Indian Ocean.
Typical lifespan: 10–15 years

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It lives in lagoons, coral reefs, and outer reef slopes across the Pacific, the Indian Ocean. Adults usually cruise alone along reef edges and sandy patches.

Appearance

Length 40-65 cm; weight 2 kg-5 kg. A pale body is covered with dark lines that resemble contour marks on a map. The rounded form, large eyes, and beak-like dental plates are typical of puffers.

Behavior

Diurnal and solitary, it normally swims slowly. When threatened it relies on inflation and chemical defenses rather than speed.

Feeding

A carnivore, it bites mollusks, crustaceans, sponges, and small reef animals. Hard prey is crushed with fused tooth plates.

Reproduction

Adults release eggs into the water during spawning. Larvae drift in plankton before juveniles move onto shallow reefs.

Notes

It is listed as Least Concern, though local populations can still be affected by habitat change, collection, or pollution.