Starry toado
A pufferfish found in subtropical oceans worldwide.
The starry toado is a species of pufferfish belonging to the family Tetraodontidae. It inhabits subtropical waters globally at depths ranging from ten to three hundred and sixty metres.
- Scientific name is Arothron firmamentum.
- Found in subtropical oceans worldwide.
- Lives at depths between 10 and 360 metres.
- Maximum recorded length is 40 cm.
- Belongs to the family Tetraodontidae.
What it is
This fish is known as the starry toado and belongs to the group called pufferfish. Its scientific name is Arothron firmamentum. Members of this family are often recognised for their ability to inflate their bodies when threatened. The starry toado can grow to a maximum length of 40 centimetres. It lives in the open ocean rather than near the shore or in rivers.
Where it lives
The starry toado is found in subtropical oceans across the world. It does not appear to be restricted to a single country or specific sea basin. This wide distribution suggests it thrives in warm temperate waters. The species is absent from polar regions and tropical zones where temperatures differ significantly.
How it lives
Details about what this fish eats or how it hunts are not provided in the available records. It likely swims alone or in small groups within its depth range. Predators may include larger sharks or tuna that inhabit the same waters.
Breeding and life cycle
Information on egg laying, spawning seasons, or the care of young is missing. Growth rates from juvenile stages to adult size are also unknown based on current data.
Fish and people
This species is not commonly listed as a food fish or target for sport fishing. It has no known role in local cultures or religious practices.
Status and threats
No official conservation status is assigned to the starry toado in the provided sources. Threats such as overfishing, pollution, or climate change are not discussed. Data deficiency prevents an assessment of whether the population is stable or declining.
Questions people ask about Starry toado
What kind of fish is the starry toado?
It is a pufferfish belonging to the family Tetraodontidae. These fish are known for their unique ability to expand their bodies with water or air when they feel threatened by predators.
Where does this fish live?
The starry toado is found in subtropical oceans around the globe. It prefers deeper waters, typically swimming at depths ranging from ten to three hundred and sixty metres below the surface.
How big does it get?
The largest individuals of this species reach a length of up to 40 centimetres. This makes it a medium-sized member of the pufferfish family compared to some giant relatives.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Starry toado", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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