Southern Puffer
Sphoeroides nephelus
The Southern Puffer is a small, rotund fish capable of inflating itself with water when threatened. It is found in shallow coastal waters of the southeastern United States and Gulf of Mexico.
Southern Puffer at a glance
- Scientific name
- Sphoeroides nephelus
- Typical size
- 6-14 inches, under 1 lb
- Water
- Saltwater
- Habitat
- Inshore
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Uncommon
Habitat
Southern Puffers inhabit shallow inshore waters including grass flats, estuaries, and nearshore sandy or muddy bottoms. They are commonly encountered by anglers targeting other species and will readily take cut bait and small hooks. They are considered a nuisance by many anglers due to their bait-stealing behavior.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a southern 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™ worksSouthern Puffer questions people ask
Southern Puffer is Sphoeroides nephelus.
A typical southern puffer runs 6-14 inches, under 1 lb. Cobia records the length and weight of every southern puffer you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Southern Puffers inhabit shallow inshore waters including grass flats, estuaries, and nearshore sandy or muddy bottoms. They are commonly encountered by anglers targeting other species and will readily take cut bait and small hooks. They are considered a nuisance by many anglers due to their bait-stealing behavior. 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.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.