Weeping Toadfish

Torquigener pleurogramma

The common blowfish (Torquigener pleurogramma), also known as the weeping toadfish, is a small pufferfish reaching up to 22 cm. It has a brownish-green body with a distinctive dark lateral stripe and scattered spots providing camouflage against sandy and rocky substrates. Found in the eastern Indian Ocean and southwestern Pacific around Australia, it inhabits sandy areas, seagrass beds, and rocky reefs at depths of 1 to 50 meters. Like all pufferfish, it can inflate its body with water when threatened and contains tetrodotoxin. It feeds on small invertebrates and algae. This is one of the most commonly encountered pufferfish in Australian waters, often seen resting on sandy bottoms or swimming with its characteristic slow, hovering gait. Its relative abundance and approachable nature make it a frequent and cooperative photographic subject.