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Smooth blaasop (Lagocephalus inermis) — Tetraodontidae

Smooth blaasop

Lagocephalus inermis

The Smooth blaasop (Lagocephalus inermis) is a saltwater fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows up to 90 cm.

Length
90 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–200.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The Smooth blaasop is a pufferfish (Tetraodontidae) from the Indo-West Pacific and eastern Atlantic. The species grows to about 90 cm and has a streamlined, silver-grey body with a white belly and a beak-like dentition. When threatened it can inflate itself with water. It is one of the largest puffers, with a smooth, almost spineless skin. Flesh and organs contain the deadly poison tetrodotoxin and must never be eaten; touching is harmless.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smooth blaasop?

The Smooth blaasop has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Smooth blaasop live?

The Smooth blaasop lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Smooth blaasop get?

The Smooth blaasop grows to a maximum of about 90 cm.

Is the Smooth blaasop dangerous to humans?

The Smooth blaasop is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gladde kogelvis sourced
English name
Smooth blaasop sourced
Scientific name
Lagocephalus inermis
Family
Tetraodontidae
Other names
Smooth blaasop; Smoothback puffer; Smooth-backed blowfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
90.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lagocephalus

More from the family Tetraodontidae

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