Fin's Fish Guide
The Narrow-lined puffer (Arothron manilensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows up to 31 cm.
Description
The narrowlined puffer is a pufferfish from the western Pacific, from Borneo and the Philippines to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to New South Wales. The species grows to about 31 cm and has a stocky body with many thin, dark longitudinal stripes and skin set with small prickles. It lives on muddy bottoms, seagrass beds and in estuaries to about 20 metres depth and eats bottom invertebrates. Like other pufferfishes it can inflate with water, and its body contains the deadly toxin tetrodotoxin; the flesh is poisonous to eat. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Narrow-lined puffer?
The Narrow-lined puffer has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Can inflate itself; the body contains deadly tetrodotoxin
Where does the Narrow-lined puffer live?
The Narrow-lined puffer lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific
How big does the Narrow-lined puffer get?
The Narrow-lined puffer grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.
Is the Narrow-lined puffer dangerous to humans?
The Narrow-lined puffer is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. Do not eat: the body contains tetrodotoxin, a deadly nerve poison with no antidote. Poisoning causes tingling, paralysis and breathing failure. If swallowed, call emergency services immediately and support breathing until medical help arrives.
Is the Narrow-lined puffer edible?
The Narrow-lined 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 Arothron
More from the family Tetraodontidae
Want the complete picture on the Narrow-lined puffer?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Narrow-lined puffer is one of 12,519 species in the app.