Fish Identification Photos: Spotted Sharpnose Pufferfish, Canthiagaster punctatissima: The Spotted Sharpnose Pufferfish is a common small shallow water species that has an overall dark brown coloration often with yellowish brown on the snout region with a whitish belly.

The Spotted Sharpnose Pufferfish has a long pointed snout and is covered with numerous small white spots. The back has a distinguishing crest between the eyes and dorsal fin. It has short gill openings that end before the pectoral fins. The caudal fin is transparent and rounded.

The Spotted Sharpnose Pufferfish has a maximum length of just over 3 inches and is found over rocky reefs between 6 and 60 feet deep in the water column. Due to its coloration and geographic range it cannot be confused with any other species.

In Mexican waters the Spotted Sharpnose Pufferfish is found in the lower half of the Sea of Cortez, around all of the oceanic islands, and along the coast of the mainland south to Guatemala.

The Spotted Sharpnose Pufferfish is a member Tetraodontidae or Pufferfish Family which are known in Mexico as botetes.

Spotted Sharpnose Pufferfish, Canthiagaster punctatissima: A 3-inch specimen netted at Isla Tortuga in Mexico's Sea of Cortez off Santa Rosalia by Mike Kanzler in March 2006. Fish identification courtesy of Gary Thomas. Description courtesy of John Snow. Photo courtesy of Mike Kanzler.