Map pufferfish. View of a map pufferfish (Arothron mappa) amongst coral. This fish lives in coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its colou- r

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Map pufferfish. View of a map pufferfish (Arothron mappa) amongst coral. This fish lives in coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its colou- ration serves as camouflage in the dappled light of the reef. Pufferfish are famed for their ability to inflate themselves when annoyed or threatened. When inflated, spines which normally lie flat against the skin (not seen) radiate outwards, giving the fish the appearance of a spiky ball. Many pufferfish are also highly toxic, containing the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin. They eat shelled animals such as crustaceans and molluscs, attacking them with their strong, beak-like jaws. Photographed at Dhiffushi, in the Maldive Islands.

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Size: 3543px × 2483px
Photo credit: © RUDIGER LEHNEN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, arothron, bony, camouflage, coral, fish, map, mappa, nature, pisces, pufferfish, type, wildlife, zoology