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Species · Lookalikes

Striped BurrfishorNorthern Puffer

Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.

Studio photograph of a Striped Burrfish (Chilomycterus schoepfii), side view, on a white background
Striped BurrfishChilomycterus schoepfii
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Northern PufferSphoeroides maculatus

Rules for both fish from 3 state rulebooks, checked Sep 18, 2026. Every rule names its source and the day it was last checked; the official rulebook is the final word.

How to tell them apart

Striped Burrfish

Spiny balloon with wavy dark stripes and big doll eyes; short spines are always half-raised.

Northern Puffer

Inflates; olive back, tiny mouth.

Northern puffer, next to striped burrfish: no spines, pepper-grain dots.

Side by side

Striped BurrfishNorthern Puffer
Scientific nameChilomycterus schoepfiiSphoeroides maculatus
Also calledSpiny boxfish—
WatersInshoreInshore
Heaviest state record1.62 lb · Texas (2014)1 lb 5 oz · New York (2020)
On the tableNo — leave the puffer family off the table.The 'sea squab' — edible unlike southern puffers, but only if you're CERTAIN of the species; when in doubt, no.
Rules of its own in1 states2 states

Rules for

Every state, both fish

The two fish are regulated differently in 3 of 3 states with a rule for either. In Florida (Atlantic), northern puffer is No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb default where open while striped burrfish has no rule of its own there. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.

StateStriped Burrfish: size · bag · seasonNorthern Puffer: size · bag · season
Florida (Atlantic)Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.No size limit2 fish or 100 lb default where openOpen year-round where allowedOpenFWC 2026 · checked
Florida (Gulf)Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.No size limit2 fish or 100 lb default where openOpen year-round where allowedOpenFWC 2026 · checked
North CarolinaNo size limitNo bag limitOpen year-roundOpenNC DMF 2026 · checked Not specifically regulated; the state’s default for unlisted species applies.

In the app

Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, striped burrfish or northern puffer, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.

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Questions anglers ask

How do you tell striped burrfish from northern puffer?

Striped Burrfish: Spiny balloon with wavy dark stripes and big doll eyes; short spines are always half-raised. Northern Puffer: Inflates; olive back, tiny mouth. Northern puffer, next to striped burrfish: no spines, pepper-grain dots.

Which gets bigger, striped burrfish or northern puffer?

Striped Burrfish. The heaviest state record we hold is 1.62 lb in Texas; the heaviest northern puffer record is 1 lb 5 oz in New York.

Which is better to eat, striped burrfish or northern puffer?

Striped Burrfish: No — leave the puffer family off the table. Northern Puffer: The 'sea squab' — edible unlike southern puffers, but only if you're CERTAIN of the species; when in doubt, no.

Do striped burrfish and northern puffer have the same limits?

Not everywhere. They differ in 3 state rulebooks. Florida (Atlantic): striped burrfish no rule of its own, northern puffer No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb default where open; Florida (Gulf): striped burrfish no rule of its own, northern puffer No size limit, 2 fish or 100 lb default where open; North Carolina: striped burrfish No size limit, No bag limit, northern puffer no rule of its own.