Bandtail Puffer
Sphoeroides spengleri
A small pufferfish with distinctive banding on its tail and the ability to inflate when threatened. Generally considered a baitfish species or occasional bycatch.
Bandtail Puffer at a glance
- Scientific name
- Sphoeroides spengleri
- Typical size
- 3-8 inches
- Water
- Saltwater
- Habitat
- Inshore
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Common
Habitat
Found in shallow coastal waters, seagrass beds, and around structure in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic. Often caught incidentally by anglers targeting other species using small baits near the bottom.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a bandtail puffer through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksBandtail Puffer questions people ask
Bandtail Puffer is Sphoeroides spengleri.
A typical bandtail puffer runs 3-8 inches. Cobia records the length and weight of every bandtail puffer you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Found in shallow coastal waters, seagrass beds, and around structure in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic. Often caught incidentally by anglers targeting other species using small baits near the bottom. It is a salt water species, filed under inshore in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
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Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.