Fin's Fish Guide
The Blunthead puffer (Sphoeroides pachygaster) is a saltwater fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows up to 41 cm.
Widespread in warm and temperate seas worldwide, including the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, in open water above the continental slope area.
Description
The blunthead puffer is a rounded pufferfish of the family Tetraodontidae reaching about 40 cm. The body is smooth (without prickles) and brown above, white below; the mouth is a beak-like structure of four tooth plates, with which the fish crushes shellfish. When threatened it can swallow water and inflate. Unlike most pufferfish, which contain the deadly poison tetrodotoxin, this deep-water species contains little toxin, but as a precaution it is not eaten. The species is widespread in warm and temperate seas worldwide, including the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, in open water above the deeper continental slope. It feeds on crustaceans, molluscs and jellyfish.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Blunthead puffer?
The Blunthead puffer has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Rounded pufferfish with smooth skin and a beak-like mouth; can inflate itself. Unlike most pufferfishes it contains hardly any toxin.
Where does the Blunthead puffer live?
The Blunthead puffer lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Widespread in warm and temperate seas worldwide, including the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, in open water above the continental slope area.
How big does the Blunthead puffer get?
The Blunthead puffer grows to a maximum of about 41 cm. On average the species is around 26 cm.
Is the Blunthead puffer dangerous to humans?
No, the Blunthead puffer is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Blunthead puffer edible?
The Blunthead puffer is not usually eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Blunthead puffer and live in the same waters.
Want the complete picture on the Blunthead puffer?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blunthead puffer is one of 12,519 species in the app.
All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Sphoeroides
More from the family Tetraodontidae
Want the complete picture on the Blunthead puffer?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blunthead puffer is one of 12,519 species in the app.