baiacu-de-manguezal
Sphoeroides rosenblatti
Small puffer of estuaries and mangroves of Costa Rica and Panama, reaching 21.9 cm.
Also called: baiacu-de-manguezal, baiacu
- maximum
- 22 cm
- depth
- 4–17 m
who is the baiacu-de-manguezal
The family Tetraodontidae includes the puffers, which have a rounded body and can inflate with water. This species reaches 21.9 cm and occurs in the eastern Pacific, in Costa Rica and Panama. It lives in brackish-water estuaries, in shallow waters, among mangroves and river mouths, near the bottom. Records range from 4 to 17 m deep. It has use in commercial fishing, but is of no interest to sport fishing.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the baiacu-de-manguezal; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Round-bodied puffer, reaching 21.9 cm. It lives in brackish estuaries, among mangroves and river mouths, a habitat that separates it from reef puffers. In Costa Rica and Panama, the mangrove habitat and small size help identify it among the other puffers.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
It occurs in the eastern Pacific, in Costa Rica and Panama, in brackish estuaries among mangroves. There are no records from the Brazilian coast.
Habitat: Brackish estuaries, among mangroves and river mouths, in shallow waters, from 4 to 17 m.
rules for the baiacu-de-manguezal
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
Like other puffers, it has a strong beak: hold it away from your fingers and release it promptly. Do not take it home to eat, because puffers can be toxic.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.0166, b = 2.92; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Sphoeroides rosenblatti (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Sphoeroides rosenblattiNames by country and language.
