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Goldface toby (Canthigaster jamestyleri) — Tetraodontidae

Goldface toby

Canthigaster jamestyleri

The Goldface toby (Canthigaster jamestyleri) is a saltwater fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
90.0–100.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
North America: USA
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The goldface toby is a small sharpnose puffer (Tetraodontidae) from the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a stocky body with a pointed snout, blue lines on a golden head and a spotted back. When threatened it gulps water and inflates. As a reef-dweller it crushes small invertebrates. Its skin and organs can contain the potent toxin tetrodotoxin; eating it is dangerous.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goldface toby?

The Goldface toby has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

Where does the Goldface toby live?

The Goldface toby lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: USA

How big does the Goldface toby get?

The Goldface toby grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Goldface toby dangerous to humans?

The Goldface toby 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 Goldface toby edible?

The Goldface toby is not usually eaten.

More photos

Goldface toby (Canthigaster jamestyleri) — Tetraodontidae — 2
Baldwin, Carole C. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Goldface toby sourced
Scientific name
Canthigaster jamestyleri
Family
Tetraodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
90.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Natural range
North America: USA 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

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 verified
First aid
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. 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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