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Banded sharpnose pufferfish (Canthigaster coronata) — Tetraodontidae

Banded sharpnose pufferfish

Canthigaster coronata
LC · Least Concern

The Banded sharpnose pufferfish (Canthigaster coronata) is a saltwater fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–165.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands; rocky and coral-rich bottoms.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The crowned toby is a sharpnose puffer (Tetraodontidae) endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The species is small, has a pointed snout and bears three to four dark saddle blotches over the back that look like a crown. It lives on rocky and coral-rich bottoms, usually in deeper water. With its beak-like tooth plates it cracks small invertebrates. Like all puffers it can contain the toxic tetrodotoxin; do not eat this fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded sharpnose pufferfish?

The Banded sharpnose pufferfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Three to four dark saddle blotches like a crown; crushes invertebrates, may contain tetrodotoxin.

Where does the Banded sharpnose pufferfish live?

The Banded sharpnose pufferfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands; rocky and coral-rich bottoms.

How big does the Banded sharpnose pufferfish get?

The Banded sharpnose pufferfish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Banded sharpnose pufferfish dangerous to humans?

The Banded sharpnose pufferfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. Do not eat: the organs and skin may contain the highly toxic tetrodotoxin, which can be fatal. Do not eat this fish. If ingested with poisoning symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

Is the Banded sharpnose pufferfish edible?

The Banded sharpnose pufferfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Banded sharpnose pufferfish (Canthigaster coronata) — Tetraodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded sharpnose pufferfish (Canthigaster coronata) — Tetraodontidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded sharpnose pufferfish (Canthigaster coronata) — Tetraodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sara Thiebaud, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded sharpnose pufferfish (Canthigaster coronata) — Tetraodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sara Thiebaud, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded sharpnose pufferfish verified
Scientific name
Canthigaster coronata
Family
Tetraodontidae
Other names
Barred toadfish; Crown toby; Crowned puffer; Crowned pufferfish; Crowned toby; Four-barred toby; Saddle toby; Saddle-back puffer; Three-barred toby verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
165.0 verified
Natural range
Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands; rocky and coral-rich bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, crushed with beak plates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Three to four dark saddle blotches like a crown; crushes invertebrates, may contain tetrodotoxin. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous sourced
First aid
Do not eat: the organs and skin may contain the highly toxic tetrodotoxin, which can be fatal. Do not eat this fish. If ingested with poisoning symptoms, seek medical help immediately. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Canthigaster

More from the family Tetraodontidae

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