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Golden puffer (Auriglobus modestus) — Tetraodontidae

Golden puffer

Auriglobus modestus

The Golden puffer (Auriglobus modestus) is a freshwater fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The golden puffer is a pufferfish (Tetraodontidae) from fresh water of Southeast Asia, including the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a streamlined, glossy gold-green body with a white belly and a beak-like dentition. Unlike many puffers it is a fast, schooling open-water hunter of small fish and invertebrates. Flesh and organs contain the deadly poison tetrodotoxin and must never be eaten; touching is harmless.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden puffer?

The Golden puffer has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Golden puffer live?

The Golden puffer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Golden puffer get?

The Golden puffer grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Golden puffer dangerous to humans?

The Golden puffer is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gouden zoetwaterkogelvis sourced
English name
Golden puffer sourced
Scientific name
Auriglobus modestus
Family
Tetraodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Tetraodontidae

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