Torquigener albomaculosus

Torquigener albomaculosus, or the White-spotted pufferfish, is the twentieth discovered^[1] species of the genus Torquigener. The species was discovered in the ocean waters around the Ryukyu Islands in Japan off the south coast of Amamioshima Island.^[1] Observed depths of the species range between ten to twenty-seven meters.^[1] The fish's head and body are colored brown with white spots at the back.^[1] Its abdomen is silvery-white with white spots.^[1]

The males are known for creating circular-shaped nests in the sand, measuring two meters in diameter.^[2] Such nest designs were noticed since 1995, but their creation remained a mystery until the species' discovery.^[1] The nests are created to attract mates through the nest's impressive design and ability to gather fine sand particles, both of which influence a female's mate choice.^[1][3] Males never reuse a nest.^[3] As of 2014, the white-spotted pufferfish is thought to be the only species of species of pufferfish that create the shapes.^[1]

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