DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

ZOOGEOGRAPHY

ECOLOGY

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

VALUE OF FISH RESOURCES

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

DANGEROUS MARINE FISHES

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

BIBLIOGRAPHY

SPECIES INDEX

CHAMORRO NAMES

TETRAODONTIDAE (PUFFERS)

Puffers are able to inflate their bodies with water, making it difficult for predators to swallow them or to dislodge them from holes.  Additional protection is provided by a powerful neurotoxin which may be contained in the internal organs, skin, or flesh, depending upon the species.  These antipredator devices probably more than make up for their generally slow swimming speed.  All puffers have powerful beaks, consisting of two fused teeth in each jaw, enabling them to feed on well-armored prey.

Canthigaster solandri (Richardson)
Canthigaster valentini (Bleeker)
Arothron meleagris (Lacepède)
Arothron nigropunctatus (Bloch & Schneider)