Blackspotted Puffer habitat
Arothron nigropunctatus inhabits coastal to outer reef crests and slopes with rich invertebrate growth. Adults of this species are often found in pairs (Kuiter and Tonozuka 2001). Arothron nigropunctatus feeds on corals (usually Acropora) (Cole et al. 2008), crustaceans, molluscs, sponges, tunicates and algae (Randall et al. 1990). Colour patterns seen in A. nicropunctatus are highly variable (Allen and Erdmann 2012), and there are similarities in pattern between A. nigropunctatus and A. meleagris (Su and Tyler 1986). Additionally, A. nigropunctatus has been known to hybridize with A. mappa (Hobbs et al. 2009).
Fishes of the genus Arothron are widely distributed throughout the tropical regions of the Indo-western Pacific. Species have been distinguished primarily on the basis of their distinctive colour patterns due to morphological similarities between species.
Tetraodontids are characterized by a tough skin that is often covered with small spinulous scales, a beak-like dental plate divided by a median suture, a slit-like gill opening anterior to the base of the pectoral fin, no pelvic fins, no fin spines, a single usually short-based dorsal fin, a single usually short-based anal fin, and no ribs. They are capable of inflating their abdomens with water when frightened or disturbed and are capable of producing and accumulating toxins such as tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin in the skin, gonads, and liver. The degree of toxicity varies by species, and also according to geographic area and season (Allen and Randall 1977, Allen and Erdmann 2012). Fishes in the family Tetraodontidae have the smallest vertebrate genomes known to date (Neafsey and Palumbi 2003).
