Takifugu porphyreus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1850)
photo by Suzuki, T.

Family:  Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae
Max. size:  52 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: southern Hokkaido, Japan to the East China Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-17; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-15. Body without prickles. Body brown dorsally, white ventrally. A large black blotch behind pectoral fin, another on base of dorsal fin (Ref. 559).
Biology:  Occurs in the sublittoral zone (Ref. 11230). The skin, gonads, liver, intestines and even the blood contain deadly toxin but still utilized fresh for human consumption, especially in Japan (Ref. 9988).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  poisonous to eat


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