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The Checkered Puffer (''Sphoeroides testudineus'') is a species in the family Tetraodontidae, or pufferfishes. *Normal sizes: 4 to 7 in. (10 to 18 cm) *Travel / Living Depth: 3– 35 ft. (1-12m). *Location and Distribution: Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida, and Gulf of Mexico. ==Description== The checkered puffer, ''Sphoeroides testudineus'', is one of several fish species belonging to the family Tetradontidae, meaning “four teeth”. Puffers have four tooth plates arranged in quadrants, with two teeth on the bottom and two on the top (Carpenter 2002). These teeth form a strong, heavy beak capable of cracking through hard prey such as mollusks and crustaceans. Puffers are named for their ability to swell by swallowing water or air when threatened. They have no spinous dorsal fin, absent or reduced scales, sandpapery denticles on various areas of the body, and a reduced gill opening. Identification of species is determined in part through color, pattern, and the presence and number of spines and fleshy tabs, or lappets, on the skin (Robins & Ray 1986). The checkered puffer is pale tan to yellowish with a polygonal or square network of lines centered on a bulls-eye pattern on the midback in front of the dorsal fin. Lines are dark gray to olive, with small, dark brown spots on cheeks and lower sides. The abdomen is whitish and unmarked. Dark bands are present on the caudal fin. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Checkered puffer」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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