Description:

Dorsal spines: 0; Dorsal rays: 9-10; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 9.

Dark brown dorsally, white below. Caudal peduncle and sides behind pectoral fin covered with dark (in life dark-edged pale blue) dots, becoming lighter on ventral surface, 
those inapproximate longitudinal rows, one just above pectoral base and the other just below it somewhat darker giving overall appearance of a pair of longitudinal lines which extend across side to dorsal 
and ventral base of caudal fin. Spots below lower jaw join to form series of thin concentric curved lines with open side directed antero-ventrally. Electric blue dark-edged 
lines radiating from eye, those from opposite side not meeting over snout or interorbital. Space between lines pale. Dark stripe sometimes present on midventral line of belly. 
Dorsal, anal, Pectoral and caudal fins translucent with dark-edged rays. upper and lower edge of caudal fin dark. 

Specimen shown here is a juvenile so adult colour pattern not yet fully developed/elaborated. 
 

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 13.0 cm TL.
 

Inhabits a variety of coral reef-associated habitats (depth 20-40 m) - clear inner reefs, on reef slopes near bases of steep walls with mixed rubble and boulders.
An uncommon species. Solitary. Oviparous. 
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not subject to the artisanal fishery. 
 

Canthigaster spp. are known for their general lack of characters, and are generally differentiated on the basis of colour differences.
Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.

Allen, G.R. & Randall, J.E. (1977). Review of the sharpnose pufferfishes (Subfamily Canthigasterinae) of the Indo-Pacific. Records of the Australian Museum 30(17): 475–517. 
[31 December 1977]. doi:10.3853/j.0067-1975.30.1977.192 ISSN 0067-1975
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/12768 (26/07/22).
Shao, K. et al. (2014). Canthigaster smithae. The IUCN Red List 2014: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T193711A2264064.en. (26/07/22).
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2022). Canthigaster smithae, Bicolored toby. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/canthigaster-smithae-allen-randall-1977/