Caribbean sharp-nose puffer
Canthigaster rostrata, commonly known as the Caribbean sharp-nose puffer, is a pufferfish from the Western Central Atlantic. The Caribbean sharp-nose puffer is a small fish with a maximum length of 12 cm or approximately 4.7 inches. It can be encountered from the coast of South Carolina to Venezuela, including Bermuda, the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Caribbean Sea. They can live up to 10 years in the wild, females typically live longer due to aggressive male territory behavior. The Caribbean sharp-nose puffer is a highly toxic species of marine fish due to the presence of tetrodotoxin in its tissues and organs. Despite its toxicity, the sharp-nose pufferfish occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.
The name Canthigaster rostrata comes from the Latin word "gaster" meaning belly or stomach and "rostrata" meaning beaked.
In Mexico, Canthigaster rostrata is commonly known as "tamborín narizón" or big-nosed tambourine, an homage to its large pointed snout and rounded body shape.
The Caribbean sharp-nose puffer is a small fish that is roughly the size of a soft ball at its maximum length of about 4 inches. The color of the puffer is typically white with a darker brown dorsal area. It is adorned with bright blue spots, and its yellow caudal tail fin is bordered by a darker line.
Like most Tetraodontidae, the Caribbean sharp-nose puffer is a slow-swimmer due to its non-streamlined and boxy body shape. To swim, it moves by oscillation of the median fins which propel the fish forward through the water. The pectoral fins serve to lessen the resistance of the water felt by the swimming puffer.
The Caribbean sharp-nose puffer has been observed within a range stretching from South Carolina to the Southern Caribbean. They are typically found at depths above forty meters, however their maximum depth is ninety meters. It is most commonly observed in coral reefs, however they have also been observed in seagrass beds and other shallow marine habitats. Males of the species dominate large territories that contain the smaller territories of one to six females. Males are able to mate with the females within their territory. Smaller males are often wanderers, with no home territory. They are abundant within the Western Atlantic, however they are experiencing a slight decline in population due to coral reef loss.
Males of the species are extremely territorial. When entering another male's territory, puffer's will flatten themselves and display a mottled coloration as a sign of submission. If a territorial male spots another male within his territory, the defending male will puff up to appear larger, spread his fins, and tilt its body forward. If these warning signs are unsuccessful, the defending male will circle and attempt to bite the other fish. Smaller males of the species often lack a territory, and are known as wanderers.
The Caribbean sharp-nose puffer is an omnivore. Much of its diet consists of spermatophytes and sponges. However, it is also known to consume seagrasses, algae, polychaete worms, shrimps, crabs, gastropods, worms, soft coral, sea-stars, sea-cucumbers, and urchins.
