Canthigaster ocellicincta Allen & Randall, 1977
Shy toby
Canthigaster ocellicincta
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Canthigasterinae
Max. size:  7.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 53 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Philippines and eastern Idonesia to Fiji, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. Recently recorded from Tonga (Ref. 53797).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Description: Characterized by brown or tan body color with dark greyish lines on head and snout; posterior part of body with grey spots; presence of pair of narrow white bars behind head separated by broad dark bars; dorsal fin base with black spot; depth of body at origin of anal fin 2.5-3.0 in SL; head length 2.1-2.4 in SL; snout length1.5-1.8 in head length; caudal peduncle depth 2.1-3.1 in head length; slightly rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits invertebrate-rich inshore reef to outer reef walls where usually in caves in depths of about 25 meters or more. Found singly or in pairs and on one occasion a small groups was observed among plate-corals on soft bottom (Ref. 48637). Feeds on algae and small invertebrates (Ref. 89972). Moves fleetingly from one hole of the reef to the other. Very secretive.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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