Checkered Puffer

The Checkered Pufferfish (Sphoeroides testudineus) can be found widespread throughout the western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean. They travel in small schools, pairs or singly, and typically frequent seagrass beds where they search for smaller invertebrates. Their diet consists of mollusks, crustaceans and squid. They have a brown or golden body with black markings, which give them a checkered appearance. They may bury themselves among the sand or inflate when alarmed. They reach a maximum size of 15 inches and do best in a 180+ gallon fish only system with fish of similar size and temperament.