Oceanic puffer
Lagocephalus lagocephalus
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Oceanic puffer
- Scientific
- Lagocephalus lagocephalus
- Dhivehi
- ރާގޮނޑި ކޮލިRaagondi koli
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 61 cm (total length); max. published weight 3.2 kg (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 60 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Near the bottom and in the water column above it, recorded from 10 to 476 m (usually 10 to 100 m)
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2011
Description
A streamlined, oceanic pufferfish, dark green to blue above and white below, reaching about 61 cm. It lives in open water and feeds on crustaceans and squid. It is highly poisonous and has caused fatal poisonings.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi name raagondi koli (MRS 1997). MRS notes it is not common but is occasionally caught along with frigate tuna.
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Lagocephalus-lagocephalus.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ރާގޮނޑި_ކޮލި
- commons.wikimedia.org /wiki/File:Lagocephalus_lagocephalus_CA.jpg
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Raagondi koli' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ރާގޮނޑި ކޮލި' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FishBase also lists 'Digu-koli' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used.