This small puffer is moderately rare, usually seen only on the steep seaward slope at depths of about 20m and more, although occasionally top of the reef. It is closely related to an endemic Hawaiian species named Canthigaster coronata, which lacks the blue spots on the body (except for those around the eyes).
Below is one of a pair who were interacting on the seaward reeftop at a depth of about 8m.
Created 22 October 2010
Updated 10 September 2016