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Bronze puffer (Chonerhinos naritus) — Tetraodontidae

Bronze puffer

Chonerhinos naritus

The Bronze puffer (Chonerhinos naritus) is a freshwater fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows up to 29 cm.

Length
28.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Asia: Myanmar, China, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand

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Description

The bronze puffer is a pufferfish (Tetraodontidae) from fresh and brackish water of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 29 cm and has a streamlined, bronze-green to silvery body with a white belly and a beak-like dentition. Unlike many puffers it is an active open-water hunter of small fish and invertebrates. Flesh and organs contain the deadly poison tetrodotoxin and must never be eaten; touching is harmless.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bronze puffer?

The Bronze puffer has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly green. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

Where does the Bronze puffer live?

The Bronze puffer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Myanmar, China, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand

How big does the Bronze puffer get?

The Bronze puffer grows to a maximum of about 29 cm.

Is the Bronze puffer dangerous to humans?

The Bronze puffer is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. This fish contains the potent poison tetrodotoxin in its skin, gut and organs and must never be eaten; there is no antidote. If swallowed and symptoms such as tingling, paralysis or breathing difficulty appear: call emergency services immediately and support breathing. Touching is harmless; wash hands afterwards.

More photos

Bronze puffer (Chonerhinos naritus) — Tetraodontidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Iconographia Zoologica (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Bronze puffer sourced
Scientific name
Chonerhinos naritus
Family
Tetraodontidae
Other names
Pufferfish; Yellow pufferfish; Bronze pufferfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
28.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Myanmar, China, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified
First aid
This fish contains the potent poison tetrodotoxin in its skin, gut and organs and must never be eaten; there is no antidote. If swallowed and symptoms such as tingling, paralysis or breathing difficulty appear: call emergency services immediately and support breathing. Touching is harmless; wash hands afterwards. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Tetraodontidae

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