Fin's Fish Guide
The Cross River puffer (Tetraodon pustulatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows up to 40 cm.
Description
The Cross River puffer is a freshwater pufferfish (Tetraodontidae) endemic to the Cross River basin in Nigeria and Cameroon, West Africa. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a stocky, scaleless body with a pustular skin and a strong, beak-like mouth. When threatened it inflates. As a bottom-oriented predator it crushes molluscs and crustaceans. Its skin and organs can contain tetrodotoxin; eating it is dangerous.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Cross River puffer?
The Cross River puffer has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.
Where does the Cross River puffer live?
The Cross River puffer lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: Cameroon, Nigeria
How big does the Cross River puffer get?
The Cross River puffer grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.
Is the Cross River puffer dangerous to humans?
The Cross River puffer is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. Do not eat: skin, viscera and gonads contain tetrodotoxin, a potent nerve poison with no antidote. If ingested with symptoms (tingling, muscle weakness, breathing difficulty): call emergency services immediately and support breathing.
Is the Cross River puffer edible?
The Cross River puffer is not usually eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Tetraodon
More from the family Tetraodontidae
Want the complete picture on the Cross River puffer?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Cross River puffer is one of 12,519 species in the app.