Animal Species:Blacksaddle Toby, Canthigaster valentini (Bleeker, 1853)
The Blacksaddle Toby can be recognised by the dark saddles on the side of the body and stripes across the snout. The species occurs throughout the tropical, marine Indo-Pacific.
Standard Common Name
Banded Toby, Black-saddled Toby, Saddled Puffer, Striped Toby, Valentin's Sharpnose Pufferfish
The Blacksaddle Toby can be recognised by the dark saddles on the side of the body and stripes across the snout.
There are about 25 species of sharpnose puffers in the genus.
The species grows to about 10 cm in length.
The Blacksaddle Toby looks similar to the Crowned Puffer, Canthigaster coronata and the Mimic Leatherjacket, Paraluteres prionurus.
The species occurs throughout the tropical, marine Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is found at the offshore islands of north-western Western Australia and from northern Queensland to southern New South Wales.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Distribution by collection data
The species is common on shallow, sheltered reefs.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology