Tetractenos | |
---|---|
Smooth toadfish Tetractenos glaber | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
Family: | Tetraodontidae |
Subfamily: | Tetraodontinae |
Genus: | Tetractenos Hardy, 1983 |
Tetractenos is a genus of Tetraodontidae. The genus can be found throughout the Indo-West Pacific and Australia's southern and eastern coastlines.
There are currently two recognized species in this genus: [1]
The general colour of the species in this genus varies, as at night they take on a deeper colour than during daytime, and, as with all toadfishes and puffers, the colour of skin changes slightly depending on the mood or stress level of the animal. For example, when a Tetractenos is in oxygen-depleted water, its underbelly will be a darker colour than the usual whitish-cream. The body of both species is covered in small, gravel-like pustules (spots). Small, sandpaper-like spines can be found on the body, and when the animal "puffs up" they stick out and make it feel even more rough.
Although the colour varies, T. hamiltoni is sandy to whitish in colour, with small brown spots over most of the back and upper sides, and brown bars and blotches beneath. [2] T. glaber has larger spots and blotches, and less prominent spines, hence its common name, smooth toadfish. [2]
The genus Tetractenos was once classed as Tetraodon or Tetrodon, [3] and is sometimes also confused with Torquigener .
Tetraodontidae is a family of primarily marine and estuarine fish of the order Tetraodontiformes. The family includes many familiar species variously called pufferfish, puffers, balloonfish, blowfish, blowers, blowies, bubblefish, globefish, swellfish, toadfish, toadies, toadle, honey toads, sugar toads, and sea squab. They are morphologically similar to the closely related porcupinefish, which have large external spines. The scientific name refers to the four large teeth, fused into an upper and lower plate, which are used for crushing the hard shells of crustaceans and mollusks, their natural prey.
The dwarf pufferfish, also known as the Malabar pufferfish, pygmy pufferfish, or pea pufferfish, is a small freshwater pufferfish endemic to Kerala and southern Karnataka in Southwest India. They are popular in aquaria for their bright colours and small size. At a maximum total length of 3.5 cm, dwarf pufferfish are one of the smallest pufferfish in the world. They closely resemble the related Carinotetraodon imitator, and the two can be difficult to distinguish. C. imitator was not recognised as a different species until 1999.
The map puffer, also known as the map pufferfish, scribbled pufferfish, or Kesho-fugu, is a demersal marine fish belonging to the family Tetraodontidae. The map puffer is typically found in tropical and subtropical waters from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific Ocean. This fish contains tetrodotoxin, a potent and deadly chemical compound used to ward off predators. Despite being highly poisonous, the map puffer can be found both in the aquarium trade and certain food markets.
Torquigener is a genus of pufferfishes native to the Indian and Pacific oceans. Males of at least two Torquigener species are known to make elaborate circular nests on the seafloor.
Reicheltia halsteadi, Halstead's toadfish, is a species of pufferfish endemic to Australia. This species grows to a length of 16 centimetres (6.3 in) TL. This species is the only known member of the genus Reicheltia.
The checkered puffer is a species in the family Tetraodontidae, or pufferfishes.
Canthigaster rostrata, commonly known as the Caribbean sharp-nose puffer, is a pufferfish from the Western Central Atlantic. The Caribbean sharp-nose puffer is a small fish with a maximum length of 12 cm or approximately 4.7 inches. It can be encountered from the coast of South Carolina to Venezuela, including Bermuda, the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Caribbean Sea. They can live up to 10 years in the wild, females typically live longer due to aggressive male territory behavior. The Caribbean sharp-nose puffer is a highly toxic species of marine fish due to the presence of tetrodotoxin in its tissues and organs. Despite its toxicity, the sharp-nose pufferfish occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.
Arothron meleagris, commonly known as the guineafowl puffer or golden puffer, is a pufferfish from the Indo-Pacific, and Eastern Pacific. It is occasionally harvested for the aquarium trade. It reaches 50 cm in length.
Arothron stellatus, also known as the stellate pufferfish, starry puffer, or starry toadfish, is a demersal marine fish belonging to the family Tetraodontidae. It is found in shallow water in the Indo-Pacific region.
The smooth toadfish is a species of fish in the pufferfish family Tetraodontidae. It is native to shallow coastal and estuarine waters of southeastern Australia, where it is widespread and abundant. French naturalist Christophe-Paulin de La Poix de Fréminville described the species in 1813, though early records confused it with its close relative, the common toadfish. The two are the only members of the genus Tetractenos after going through several taxonomic changes since discovery.
The common toadfish, also known as the common toado, toadfish or toado, is a species of fish in the family Tetraodontidae of order Tetraodontiformes, found along Australia's eastern coast, from northern Queensland to Flinders Island, and around Lord Howe Island, as well as in New Zealand waters. It often buries itself in sand with only its eyes exposed.
Toado is a common name for a variety of species of fish in the family Tetraodontidae, including:
Toadfish is the common name for a variety of species from several different families of fish, usually because of their toad-like appearance. Dogfish is a name for certain species along the gulf coast.
Torquigener pleurogramma, commonly known as the weeping toadfish or blowie, is a species of fish in the family Tetraodontidae. It is found in the coastal waters of Australia. Its flesh is highly toxic.
Torquigener andersonae, commonly known as Anderson's toadfish, is a species of fish in the family Tetraodontidae. It is found in the coastal waters of southeastern Australia. It was described by Graham Hardy in 1983, who named it for a colleague at the University of New South Wales, Dr. Jennifer M. E. Anderson. It has been recorded from Jervis Bay and Bermagui on the southern New South Wales coast.
Torquigener squamicauda, commonly known as the brush-tail toadfish or scalytail toadfish, is a species of fish in the family Tetraodontidae. It is found in the coastal waters off eastern Australia from Yeppoon in Queensland to Wattamolla just south of Sydney in New South Wales.
Torquigener altipinnis, the highfin toadfish, is a species of fish in the family Tetraodontidae. It is found in the coastal waters off eastern Australia, from southeast Queensland to Malabar, New South Wales, as well as Norfolk, Lord Howe and Raoul Islands.
Torquigener perlevis, commonly known as the spineless toadfish, is a species of fish in the family Tetraodontidae. It is found in the coastal waters off northern and eastern Australia from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the Georges River and Botany Bay in Sydney, New South Wales.
Arothron reticularis, variously known as the reticulated pufferfish, reticulated blowfish or reticulated toadfish, is a ray-finned fish in the family Tetraodontidae. It is native to the tropical and sub-tropical Indo-Pacific region where its habitats include sandy and muddy seabeds, coral reefs, estuaries and mangrove areas.
The ringed toadfish is a species of puffer in the family Tetraodontidae. It grows up to 25 cm (9.8 in) in length, and is poisonous to consume. It has a black ring surrounding its pectoral fins, and an oval-like body covered in small spines.