410 Northern, Southern Swellfish 



Northern Swellfish or Puffer 

 Sphaeroides maculatus (Bloch and Schneider) 



Color: Dusky, brown, or olive green above; sides greenish 

 yellow or orange; belly white; 6-8 indefinite vertical dark 

 bands on sides. 



Distribution: Occurs from Florida to Cape Cod and as a 

 stray into the Gulf of Mexico. 

 Size: Maximum size about 14 inches. 

 General Information: The Northern Swellfish is an abun- 

 dant inshore species common in shoal waters on sandy 

 shores. It spawns in spring and summer. The principal 

 foods of this fish are small crijstaceans and shellfish. The 

 Northern Swellfish regularly inflates when frightened by 

 gulping water or, when taken from the water, by gulping 

 air. It frequently burrows in the sand, at which time only 

 the eyes and a small part of the upper surface of the head 

 are visible. 



Economic Importance: This species was formerly of no 

 commercial value and considered a nuisance by anglers. 

 In recent years it has become a valued food fish. The 

 sandpaper-like skin is removed by the fisherman and the 

 chunk of white body meat remaining is marketed under 

 the name "sea squab." A small recreational fishery has 

 also developed for this swellfish. 



Southern Swellfish or Puffer 

 Sphaeroides spengleri (Bloch) 



