Amblyrhynchotes honckenii
A toxic pufferfish that buries in sand and inflates when startled.
Amblyrhynchotes honckenii, called the evileye pufferfish, evileye puffer, or evileye blaasop, belongs to the genus Amblyrhynchotes. Its body is built with a large head that narrows toward a small tail, reaching up to 25 centimeters in length. The head is blunt and rounded, with eyes set high and a small mouth; the eyes are deep blue or green with a yellow or orange iris. Upper body coloring ranges from black to dark brown to dark green, covered in pale yellow or white blotches—juveniles are paler than adults. The underside is white, and some individuals show a yellow line separating the darker and lighter regions. Small spikes cover both parts, most visible when the fish inflates, especially on the stomach. All fins are fleshy: the large pectoral fins and the caudal fin are pale yellow, while the anal fin is usually white but turns yellow in breeding males.
This fish is native to the Indo-West Pacific, from South Africa to China, and is most common over fine sand near reefs. It spends much of its time buried in sand with only its head exposed. When startled, it inflates, hangs in the water, then suddenly deflates and swims away quickly. Its flesh is poisonous to humans and other animals, and contact with bare skin is also toxic. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
Quick Facts
- Species
- honckenii
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Amblyrhynchotes honckenii has a big head that tapers to a narrow tail, with a bluntly rounded head, high-set eyes, and a small mouth. The eyes are deep blue or green with a yellow or orange iris. The upper body ranges from black to dark brown to dark green, covered in pale yellow or white blotches; juveniles are paler than adults. The lower body is white, and some individuals have a yellow line dividing the darker and paler parts. Both parts are covered in small spikes, most noticeable when the fish is inflated, especially on the stomach. All fins are fleshy: the pectoral fins are large and pale yellow, the caudal fins are also pale yellow, and the anal fins are usually white but turn yellow in breeding males. It is native to the Indo-West Pacific, from South Africa to China, and is most common in areas with fine sand near reefs. The species spends much of its time buried in sand with only the head sticking out. When startled, it typically inflates and hangs in the water before suddenly deflating and rapidly swimming away. Its flesh is poisonous to humans and other animals, and it is also poisonous when touched with bare skin.
Reader's Guide
Amblyrhynchotes honckenii is significant as a species of pufferfish known for its evileye name, derived from its striking eye coloration. Its behavior of burying in sand and inflating when threatened is a classic defense mechanism among pufferfishes. The species' toxicity, affecting both ingestion and skin contact, underscores the potent defenses of the genus. Its conservation status as Least Concern indicates a stable population across its wide Indo-West Pacific range. The fish's distinctive appearance, with blotches and a yellow line in some individuals, makes it recognizable. The description by Marcus Elieser Bloch in 1785 places it among early documented pufferfish species. Its preference for sandy habitats near reefs highlights its ecological niche. The species' legacy lies in its representation of typical pufferfish traits—inflation, toxicity, and cryptic behavior—while its specific coloration and eye color contribute to its common name.
Did You Know?
- It can grow up to 25 cm in length.
- Its flesh is poisonous to humans both when eaten and when touched with bare skin.
- When startled, it inflates and hangs in the water before deflating and swimming away rapidly.
More in Wrasses and Gobies, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced