Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Lunartail puffer
Lagocephalus lunaris
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae
Max. size:  45 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and Persian Gulf to South Africa, east along the continental shores to western Pacific, from Japan to Australia (Ref. 11441). Southeast Atlantic: south coast of South Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 10-12. Body covered with prickles. Prickles on back extending from nape to caudal peduncle (Ref. 559).
Biology:  Mainly marine, occasionally enters estuaries (Ref. 4833). Occurs over sandy bottoms, often on coastal reefs; feeds on a variety of marine invertebrates (Ref. 68964).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  poisonous to eat


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