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Immaculate puffer
Arothron immaculatus
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Immaculate puffer
- Scientific
- Arothron immaculatus
- Dhivehi
- Fukkoli
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 38 cm (total length); max. published weight 7750 g (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 30 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 3 to 30 m; also enters brackish water
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2011
Description
A plain brownish pufferfish, paler below, with a dark blotch at the pectoral base and a black-edged tail. It lives in shallow, sheltered water over sand and seagrass. Its liver and ovaries contain potent toxins.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name fukkoli (MRS 1997). MRS notes eating pufferfish has caused serious illness and deaths.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Arothron-immaculatus.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Pez_globo_de_ojos_amarillos_(Arothron_immaculatus),_Anilao,
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Fukkoli' (Latin form). FishBase also lists 'Koli' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used.