Nature Field Guide
Spotted Sharpnose Puffer
- Spanish name
- Tamboril bonito
- Scientific name
- Canthigaster punctatissima
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico: “That puffer has a tiny pointed nose!”
Tati: “Let’s compare its pale dots and snout with other puffers.”
Species overview
About the Spotted Sharpnose Puffer
Dense blue-white dots cover the head, body and tail. The pointed snout and high-set eyes help distinguish this little fish from larger, blunt-headed puffers.
It feeds on a mixture of reef organisms and algae. Its small size makes it easy to overlook near rocks. Observe its ordinary uninflated shape without touching or cornering it.
Identification
Key Features of the Spotted Sharpnose Puffer
Pointed snout
Dense pale blue-white dots
Small fins near the rear
Habitat & range
Pacific rocky reefs and nearby coastal marine habitats. Check the linked species reference for its wider range.
Local observations
Recorded at Cabo Blanco.
When to observe
Visibility depends on water clarity, currents, depth and conditions. No fixed local viewing or migration season is assigned.
Conservation & care
Never touch, collect, eat or deliberately inflate puffers or porcupinefish. Observe with a qualified guide. Do not feed, chase or handle fish. Keep fins off the reef and take all litter home.
Threats & pressures
Habitat damage and degraded water quality are pressures to prevent in coastal fish habitats. This profile does not quantify a local decline.
Observation activity
Compare its snout with the guineafowl puffer. Draw one rounded and one pointed profile.
Explore by location
Guanacaste · Puntarenas & the Gulf Islands · South Pacific · Ocean & Coastal Life