Fahaka pufferfish
Species of fish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The fahaka pufferfish (from Arabic: فهقة), also known as the Nile puffer, globe fish, lined puffer (Tetraodon lineatus), is a tropical freshwater pufferfish found in the upper Nile, Chad, Senegal, Gambia, Geba, Volta and Turkana basins in West, Northeast and East Africa.[1][2]
| Fahaka pufferfish | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Tetraodontidae |
| Genus: | Tetraodon |
| Species: | T. lineatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Tetraodon lineatus | |
 | |
Characteristics
Fahaka pufferfish can reach up to 43 cm (1.4 ft) in length.[2] They have the ability to inflate when threatened and, like many puffers, carry the toxin tetrodotoxin.[2]
Fahaka pufferfish, like other molluscivores, feed mainly on benthic organisms which may include freshwater mussels and snails.[2] They are typically found in large rivers, open water, weed beds and vegetated fringes.[2]
In the River Nile, the recorded average lifespans of Fahaka pufferfish have measured about five years.[3]
Researchers AbouelFadl and Farrag have measured the gonadosomatic index of the Fahaka pufferfish to increase from April to August. They have interpreted these readings to suggest a spawning season during this period.[3]
Gallery
Inflated, Ethiopia
1907 illustration
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