Bearded puffer

The bearded puffer (Sphoeroides tyleri) is a species in the family Tetraodontidae (or pufferfish) which is typically found in marine coastal waters of the West Atlantic from Colombia to Southeastern Brazil.^[1]

Bearded puffer
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Tetraodontiformes
Family:	Tetraodontidae
Genus:	Sphoeroides
Species:	S. tyleri
Binomial name
Sphoeroides tyleri Shipp, 1972

Characteristics

Bearded pufferfish grow to around 12 cm (4-7") and usually swim at a depth of around 10–80 metres. They can be identified by three to four vague diagonal blotches on the lower cheek.^[1] Bearded pufferfish are molluscivores and therefore typically feed on crustaceans, molluscs and echinoderms.^[1]

Conservation

S. tyleri is listed on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as LC (Least Concern)^[2]