Weird Figure 8 Puffer phenomenon

[xenacanth9]

Deadeye brought this to my attention, and I can't unthink it. Ever noticed how F8s almost always look either like this:

Or this?:

I've always found it sort of odd. They definitely are two distinct patterns, and even different body shapes. Do any of you know if this has anything to do with maturity, catch location, sexual dimorphism, or anything else? It's certainly somewhat interesting. It's almost as if they're two different (albeit cryptic if true) species.
Fat Homer

 

[xenacanth9]

Side note: Believe it or not, I've never actually kept F8s myself. Not sure why. Just never gotten around to it.

 

[Deadeye]

Following to see if there is an answer!
Always wanted to keep one, just never went brackish yet.

 

[Fat Homer]

Good question! I wonder if scientifically speaking they may actually be a sub species that hasnt been identified but people just call them F8 out of ease… bit like the Imitator puffer and dwarf puffer…

 

[tlindsey]

Could one have a different pattern as a juvenile.

 

[xenacanth9]

Good question! I wonder if scientifically speaking they may actually be a sub species that hasnt been identified but people just call them F8 out of ease… bit like the Imitator puffer and dwarf puffer…

Could one have a different pattern as a juvenile.

Both possible... I think of the four redeye puffers from the family Carinotetraodon, which look similar, though visibly different from each other, and were most likely identified as Carinotetraodon lorteti for years before being separately classified. It wasn't until 18 years after lorteti's discovery when borneesis was classified, 110 years for salivator, and a whopping 114 for irrubesco, which is the most commonly traded species, so who knows. It's possible they are subspecies.

 

[xenacanth9]

Another thing that comes to mind is the very subtle difference between Dichotomyctere nigroviridis and kretamensis.

Kretamensis is on the left, nigroviridis is on the right.

Nope, fooled you, it's the other way around.

 

[Fat Homer]

Could one have a different pattern as a juvenile.

interesting thought, tbh, i’ve not paid as much attention the to the brackish / salty puffers myself… so that could also be the case

 

[xenacanth9]

Both possible... I think of the four redeye puffers from the family Carinotetraodon,

*Genus, silly me