Whitespotted puffer at Aliwal Shoal
Photo Shane Willard
This large puffer (it reaches nearly 50 cm in length) is a moderately common fish. It is found on coral and rocky reefs, from 1 m down to about 50 m, and ranges from the Eastern Cape and further east, into the Indian Ocean. The common name refers to the white spots, but it is the dark area at the base of each pectoral fin containing the brilliant yellow area as shown in the photo, which is most distinctive. It is not a fussy eater, and will consume a wide variety of algae and animals, including crown-of-thorn starfish.
Reef Fishes and Corals, D King, 1996