Northern Puffer - Sphoeroides maculatus
*Information from FAO Species Identification Guide Western Central Atlantic*
Size
Maximum 250 mm; common to 200 mm.
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Habitat, biology, and fisheries
Found in bays and estuaries, as well as offshore waters to depths of at least 60 m. Not a schooling species, but often occurring in large disorganized aggregations. Feeds primarily on shellfish, occasionally on finfish. The landings within the area, as reported by the USA, are negligible, but catches are higher further north; caught mainly with crab pots and on hook-and-line; marketed fresh as ‘Sea squab’; reportedly non-toxic, but often confused with toxic species.
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Distribution
Restricted to the northern part of the area, off northeast Florida, northward extending to Newfoundland.
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