Synopsis
Tagged individuals of the Eastern Pacific sharpnose puffer, Canthigaster punctatissima, were studied at Punta Santa Inez, Baja California Sur. Territories were maintained by both sexes in this sexually dimorphic fish. Male puffers appear to have harems; one large male interacts with one to four smaller females. Puffers from different harems were not seen to interact except for occasional aggressive contact. Removal of a male puffer resulted in the overnight takeover of his harem by a neighboring male. Harem-forming behavior is discussed, as well as the possible role of predation.
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Kobayashi, D.R. Social organization of the spotted sharpnose puffer, Canthigaster punctatissima (Tetraodontidae). Environ Biol Fish 15, 141–145 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005429
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005429