along lower lip; fins dusky except rear edge of C narrowly
light in juveniles. Attains at least 40 cm. A large heavy
blaasop, not uncommon along our south coast from Knysna
to East London.
268.4 Arothron inconditus: 31 em holotype (Algoa Bay).
Map blaasop
268.5 Arothron mappa
(Lesson, 1827)
PLATE 142
Kaart-blaasop
Tetrodon mappa Lesson, 1827: 102, PI. 5 (Doreh Bay, New Guinea).
Arothron mappa: Smith, 1958: 158*; 1961: 537, No. 1206a; Shen, Lim &
Ting, 1975: 170*.
D 11-12; All; P 19.
Body heavy but beautifully coloured; black area round
anus and black reticulations below P remain on preservation. Attains 55 cm. Indo-West Pacific, south to Natal.
268.6 Arothron meleagris
(Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
Guineafowl blaasop
Tarentaal-blaasop
Tetrodon meleagris Bloch & Schneider 1801: 507 (Asia). Arothron
meleagris: Smith, 1958: 158; Smith, 1980: 186.
D 10-11; A 11; P 16-18.
Whole fish dark, covered with numerous small white
spots; anus not in dark ring. Attains 35 cm. Indo-Pacific,
south to Durban.
268.6 Arothron meleagris: 30 em (Seychelles).
268: TETRAODONTIDAE (BLAASOPS)
268.7 Arothron nigropunctatus
(Bloch & Schneider, 1801)
PLATE 143
Blackspotted blaasop
Swartspikkel-blaasop
Tetrodon nigro-punctatus Bloch & Schneider, 1801: 507 (Tranquebar,
India). Arothron nigropunctatus: Smith, SFSA No. 1204*; 1958: 160;
1961: 573, No. 1204; Shen, Lim & Ting, 1975: 159*; Tyler, 1980: 339*.
Arothron citrinellus: Smith, 1958: 160; 1961: 573, No. 1204a.
D 10-11; A 10-l2; P 18-19.
Large black spots on body remain on preservation; the
yellow variety, or xanthic form, originally known as Arothron citrinellus (Gunther, 1870), is especially beautiful and
easily recognised under water. Attains 30 cm. Indo-West
Pacific south to Algoa Bay.
268.7 Arothron nigropunctatus: 25 em (N. Mozambique).
268.8 Arothron stellatus: A. 2.5 em (E. of Port Alfred); B. 6.5 em (Inhaea Id.);
C. 7 em (Port Alfred); D. 7 em (Inhaea Id.); E. 8.5 em (S. Mozambique);
F. 17 em (Inhaea Id.).
.
897