Fingerprint Toby

Canthigaster compressa is a demersal Marine fish belonging to the family Tetraodontidae. It is widely distributed throughout the tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean.

Description

The fingerprint toby is a small sized fish which grows up to 12 cm. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. It has a brownish body covered in blue and white (often) wavy lines and white spots, a large dark blotch ringed in blue or green at the dorsal-fin base, and a yellowish tail with narrow blue bars. Caudal fin with a series of faint, narrow undulating lines.

Distribution

Western Pacific: Philippines to the Solomon Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands and southern Marianas, south to Vanuatu.

Habitat

It inhabits the shallow sandy to silty lagoons, harbours or channels from 2 to 12 m. Canthigaster compressa has a diurnal activity. Adults usually in pairs.