Posted Tue 31 Mar 2009 by Kate
Just off the back of our boat today, this huddling school of starry toado, are acting quite strange. But then, wouldn't you if you were lost?
Check out this shot of them in a tight ball.
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Chad Lue ChoyHi Dive Tutukaka team,
Just a quick note to say thanks again for the GREAT day of diving off Poor Knights! I can see why that area was so highly rated by Jacque. It was so great to get back in the water after 4 years. Your professional service and attention to details were the best I have seen since I have been diving. The background on the islands and the plant and animal life was also a nice twist.
Thanks especially to Hemi for running over the basic dive drills and making me feel safe and confident back in the water.
If I ever make it back to NZ, I will definitely come out again. I will also let any diving buddies heading that way to look you guys up.
3 comments
Who did the ID as Starry toado? I wld like to discuss an alternative , more likely species,. great sighting though!
By wade doak on 08 Apr 2009Hi Wade,

By Kate on 08 Apr 2009It was Malcolm Francis, from NIWA.
What do you think they are? We are keen to know!
The scientific name is Arothron firmamentum, but they are called a couple of common names.
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=14568
Starry pufferfish
http://www.reefwatch.asn.au/pages/bin/view/Publications/SamsccStarry_Toadfish_-_Starry_Toado
Starry toadfish
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/online-resources/fauna/afd/taxa/Arothron_firmamentum
Mainstay puffer
By Kate on 09 Apr 2009