green puffer
Sphoeroides greeleyi
Pufferfish of shallow, murky waters, with reports of ciguatera poisoning and organs that can be toxic.
Also called: baiacu-pinima, baiacu, corrotucho verde, green puffer
- maximum
- 23 cm
who is the green puffer
Pufferfish of the family Tetraodontidae, reaching 22.6 cm. It lives in shallow, brackish waters and prefers murky water. It inhabits soft bottoms with vegetation, such as seagrass beds (Thalassia testudinum), where it feeds on marine invertebrates. It occurs from Honduras in Central America to Santa Catarina, Brazil, with records from the Caribbean, Venezuela, Trinidad and the Guianas. It is eaten locally, but there are reports of ciguatera and the organs can be toxic. It is caught commercially and seldom on rod and reel.
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 green puffer; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Short, deep body, with groups of small dark brown spots on the upper two thirds of the head and body, and a whitish belly. The caudal fin has a dark band at its base and a second, fainter band on the outer part of its middle. Unlike the spotted puffer (Sphoeroides spengleri), which has large, well-defined black spots, this species has small brown spots in groups.
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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
In Latin America it occurs from Honduras and the Caribbean to the Brazilian coast, through Central America, Colombia and the Guianas.
Habitat: Shallow, brackish waters, preferably murky, over soft bottoms with vegetation such as seagrass.
coast
rules for the green puffer
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
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.
The risk lies in eating it: there are reports of ciguatera and the organs can be toxic, so it is not a good idea to take it home as food.
in the kitchen
It is eaten locally, but the organs can be toxic and there are reports of ciguatera, so care is needed.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.02042, b = 2.89; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). 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 greeleyi (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 greeleyiNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
