Fin's Fish Guide
The Least puffer (Sphoeroides parvus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows up to 15 cm.
Description
The least puffer (Sphoeroides parvus) is a small pufferfish of the family Tetraodontidae from the western Atlantic. The species has a stocky body with a brownish, mottled pattern and reaches about 15 cm. It inhabits shallow, turbid coastal waters and estuaries over soft bottoms. Like other puffers it can inflate when threatened and its tissue contains the potent poison tetrodotoxin; consumption without proper knowledge is life-threatening. With its powerful incisor teeth it crushes crustaceans and mollusks. Owing to its small size and toxicity the species is of limited fishery importance.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Least puffer?
The Least puffer has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Inflates when threatened; contains tetrodotoxin and crushes shellfish with powerful cutting teeth.
Where does the Least puffer live?
The Least puffer lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Shallow coastal waters and estuaries of the western Atlantic.
How big does the Least puffer get?
The Least puffer grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.
Is the Least puffer dangerous to humans?
No, the Least puffer is harmless to humans. The tissue contains tetrodotoxin, a potent and potentially deadly poison; do not eat this fish without expert preparation. In case of symptoms after consumption such as tingling around the mouth, paralysis or breathing difficulty, call emergency services immediately.
Is the Least puffer edible?
The Least puffer is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Sphoeroides
More from the family Tetraodontidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Least puffer is one of 12,519 species in the app.