Pufferfish

Pufferfish, often known as blowfish, have a unique defense mechanism to evade predators. They can inflate themselves into a ball shape by filling their flexible stomachs with water or air, sometimes expanding to several times their regular size.

Species Details

- Common Name: Pufferfish

- Scientific Name: Tetraodontidae

- Type: Fish

- Diet: Carnivorous

- Group Name: School

- Size: Up to 3 feet long

People Also Read-Scorpionfish

Certain pufferfish species also boast spines on their skin as an added protection against predators. If a predator tries to eat a pufferfish before it inflates, it will find the experience unpleasant due to the toxic substance most pufferfish contain. This toxin not only makes the fish taste bad but is also potentially lethal to other fish and even humans. In fact, one pufferfish can carry enough poison to kill 30 adult humans, and unfortunately, there's no known antidote for the toxin.

Culinary Delight and Habitat

In Japan, pufferfish is known as fugu and is considered a high-end delicacy. Only specially trained and licensed chefs can safely prepare fugu due to its toxicity. Puffers primarily inhabit tropical and subtropical ocean waters, but you can also find some species in brackish and freshwater environments. While certain pufferfish species face challenges such as pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing, most populations are relatively stable.