Common Name: Scribbled Puffer

Distribution: Rare in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, East Africa and east to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia. In Australia recorded from Exmouth in Western Australia, Queensland and northern New South Wales.

Ecological Notes: Frequents clear lagoons, sheltered reefs and drop offs. Usually solitary, diet consists of algae, sponges and benthic invertebrates. Depth to at least 30 m.

Additional Notes: Identified by intricate black lines radiating from eye and large irregular black blotch around gill opening and pectoral fin base. Uncommon throughout range, grows to 65 cm.

References: R. Stuart-Smith, G. Edgar, A. Green, I. Shaw, Tropical Marine Fishes of Australia. Reed New Holland Publishers, 2015. p.459.

FishBase. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. World Wide Web electronic publication. http://www.fishbase.se/summary/Arothron-mappa.html. Accessed 25/04/18.