Masked Pufferfish Arothron diadematus

The Masked Pufferfish is native to the Red Sea. Some class it as a variation of the Black-spotted/Dog-faced Puffer of tropical areas of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. It has a black mask over its eyes and its mouth and base of pectoral fins, all on a plainish olive/light grey back ground. It grows to 30cm long. It is solitary and territorial.

The teeth/beak, which never stop growing, are/is for crustaceans, molluscs, other invertebrates, sponges, algae and coral. Like all pufferfish, it can inflate its body like a ball to discourage predators. It also has a deadly toxin if eaten.