Takifugu obscurus

Takifugu obscurus^[7] or the obscure pufferfish is a species of euryhaline,^[8] anadromous pufferfish first described by T. Abe in 1949.^[2][3] It has been categorized by the IUCN as a least-concern species globally since 2014;^[9] in South Korea, it is however classified as an endangered species due to overfishing of its endemic populations.^[10] The Catalogue of Life lists no subspecies of Takifugu obscurus.^[6] The species prefers deeper, clearer areas of brackish and fresh water,^[2] and is found in estuaries, as well as rivers and tributaries thereof such as the South Korean rivers Geum, Han, and Imjin,^[10] or the Tamsui River^{[citation needed]}. The species is endemic to North and South Korea, the Sea of Japan, and the East and South China Seas.^[2] Uses of Takifugu obscurus include human consumption, use in animal testing, and owning specimens as pets. As with most species of pufferfish, several organs of Takifugu obscurus contain tetrodotoxin, making it potentially poisonous if not prepared safely by trained persons.

Takifugu obscurus
Note: The depicted specimen appears to be missing its dorsal fin
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Tetraodontiformes
Family:	Tetraodontidae
Genus:	Takifugu
Species:	T. obscurus
Binomial name
Takifugu obscurus (Abe, 1949)[2][3][4]
Synonyms
Fugu obscurus (Abe, 1949)[5] Sphoeroides ocellatus Abe, 1949[6]

Morphology

Takifugu obscurus is characterized by the following traits:^[5]

• Body, especially ventral region or "belly" covered in prickles
• Dark spots on either side, above and often somewhat behind the pectoral fins
• One larger dark spot surrounding the base of the dorsal fin
• A blunt snout and small mouth
• A maximum length of 40 cm
• 15–19 dorsal soft rays, 13–16 anal soft rays, no dorsal or anal spines
• While the fish is alive, a yellowish tint to the fins