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Fish
Putterfish
Putterfish · Tetraodontidae
You can recognise a putterfish by its balloon-like shape and calm presence in tropical coastal waters.
Fact file
- Size
- Depending on the species, between 10 and 60 centimetres long
- Males and females
- Sexes are usually hard to tell apart from the outside
- Sounds
- Can produce clicking or growling sounds when stressed
- Diet
- Prefers to eat snails, crustaceans, mussels and sometimes algae
- Offspring
- The female lays spawn in small hollows, the young hatch after a few days
How to identify Putterfish
Putterfish are instantly noticeable because of their rounded body shape. The skin usually looks smooth and slimy and, instead of scales, they have small spines that stand up when they feel threatened. Many species show striking colour patterns, from sandy brown and greenish tones to bright yellow. Some have spots or stripes that help them blend into their surroundings.
The typical silhouette of putterfish is compact, with a short, blunt head and protruding, mobile eyes. Fins and tail are rather delicate. When a putterfish is threatened, it inflates itself massively with water or air and then looks like a spiky ball.
More in the app
With Wildful Stories+ you also get in the app:
- general viewing tips
- one place where you can see Putterfish
Where Putterfish live
Discover Putterfish on your trip.
The app shows you where and when to see wildlife along your route.
