Northern Blowfish – Sphoeroides maculatus

The Northern Blowfish (Sphoeroides maculatus), also known as the Northern Puffer, is a small, round-bodied fish found along the Atlantic coast of North America, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence down to Florida. This species is part of the pufferfish family and shares the characteristic ability to inflate its body when threatened, though it is less toxic than many of its tropical relatives.

Key Characteristics of the Northern Blowfish:

  • Size: Typically grows up to 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) in length.

  • Coloration: Brownish to gray on the back, with yellowish sides and a white underbelly. It also has dark spots along its sides and back, which help with camouflage.

  • Habitat: Prefers shallow coastal waters, seagrass beds, and sandy or muddy bottoms at depths of up to 100 feet (30 meters).

  • Diet: Eats hard-shelled prey like mollusks, crustaceans, and small invertebrates, using its beak-like teeth to crush shells.

  • Behavior: Generally a peaceful fish, but it has a unique defense mechanism of inflating its body when threatened. It lacks the potent tetrodotoxin found in other pufferfish, making it safe to eat.

  • Specimen is 9"

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