Sphoeroides camila
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| Sphoeroides camila | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Tetraodontidae |
| Genus: | Sphoeroides |
| Species: | S. camila |
| Binomial name | |
| Sphoeroides camila | |
Sphoeroides camila is a species of pufferfish native to Brazil.[1] Previously thought to be the bandtail puffer (Sphoeroides spengleri), the species was discovered through DNA analysis.[2] The fish lives in the western Atlantic from northern to southeastern Brazil, and some may be found in the southern Caribbean.[1][2]
Sphoeroides camila possesses several distinctive features, including at least one pair of lappets and blue spots or circles on its back. Usually, it displays 13 tear-shaped spots in a lateral-ventral row, though the number ranges from 11 to 14. The caudal fin's distal bar is wide and has a greenish-yellow hue.[2]
Habitat
Sphoeroides camila is prevalent in shallow and clear reef waters along the Brazilian coast, with depths of up to 20 meters, occasionally extending to 70 meters. It is often seen either alone, in pairs, or small groups, and multiple individuals can be found closely together, hovering over the seabed. Unlike S. spengleri, it is seldom found in seagrass beds, which distinguishes their behavior.[2]
Diet
As a generalist zoobenthivore, Sphoeroides camila feeds on a varied diet, including crustaceans, mollusks, worms, echinoderms, and zooplankton larvae. They also exhibit opportunistic foraging behavior, such as being attracted to mussels opened by a diver or chasing prey stirred up by other creatures.[2]
Behavior
These puffers are diurnal, spending their nights in reef crevices or partially buried on nearby sandy or gravelly bottoms. During this time, they expose their eyes and upper dorsum while seeking shelter.[2]