Blue-Spotted Toby

Canthigaster cyanospilota

The Blue-spotted Toby is a small pufferfish native to the Indian Ocean, including areas like the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba. It is identifiable by its pale grey to tan body featuring oblique, saddle-like brown bars and bright blue spots and lines. The caudal fin displays longitudinal blue lines or small blue spots, and the snout often has a greenish tint on top. This species can grow up to 10.4 cm in length. These pufferfish are found on seaward reefs, preferring sand-rubble bottoms at depths between 10 and 80 meters. They are typically solitary and can be seen moving alone through subtropical waters. Their diet includes various benthic invertebrates, which they find in their reef habitats. Reproduction in Blue-spotted Tobies is oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. Divers who encounter this species will find them harmless, as they pose no threat to humans. According to the IUCN, they are categorized as Least Concern.