Canthigaster leoparda Lubbock & Allen, 1979
Leopard sharpnose puffer
Butete
Canthigaster leoparda
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Canthigasterinae
Max. size:  7.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 30 - 100 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean (Christmas I.) to Western Pacific (Philippines, Indonesia (Ambon), and Guam. Replaced by Canthigaster tyleri in the Indian Ocean east to Ambon (Ref. 37816).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Description: Characterized by pale brown body color with clusters of irregular brown spots on side; yellow snout and head with blue lines across top; mid forehead with blue-edged brown spot; small blue spots on side, more numerous ventrally; depth of body at origin of anal fin 2.2-2.7 in SL; head length 2.3-2.5 in SL; snout length1.6-1.7 in head length; caudal peduncle depth 2.0-2.7 in head length; slightly rounded caudal fin (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Lives in deep water habitats, usually along deep drop-offs in caves at more than 30 meters depth (Ref. 48637). Solitary or in pairs (Ref. 90102). Maximum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 January 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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