Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789)
Silver-cheeked toadfish
Spotted rough-backed blowfish,  Tinga-tinga
Lagocephalus sceleratus
photo by Patzner, R.

Family:  Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae
Max. size:  110 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 9,000.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 18 - 100 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific (Ref. 4919). Lessepsian migrant to the Mediterranean Sea (Ref. 55043).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-12. Greenish with brown or black spots above; silver band from mouth to caudal fin; belly white; silver blotch in front of eye; pectoral base black (Ref. 4919).
Biology:  Inhabits offshore reefs (Ref. 9563). Sandy bottom (Ref. 95646). Caught by trammel net (Ref. 96695). This species contains tetrodotoxin which may be a source for food poisoning and the Israel Poison Information center registered 13 cases in December 2008 where all were related to the consumption of this fish (Ref. 118670).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  poisonous to eat
Country info:  Known to be poisonous and to cause death when eaten (Ref. 2858). Museum: Off El Nido, angling, FRLM 11771, 11810.


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