To escape, the slow-moving pufferfish uses its highly elastic stomach. It also can swiftly ingest a high amount of water (including air if it requires) to transform into an enormous ball. Some species have spikes on their skin that provides extra protection against the predators.
Biologists declare pufferfish is commonly known as blowfish, because of its popular “inflatable” also moves slowly. Pufferfish’s weird swimming style makes it vulnerable to predators.
Fun Facts about Pufferfish
Pufferfish Habitats
Some wild pufferfish wear wild markings and shades to show off their toxicity whereas the rest of the species uses muted or cryptic coloration to mingle in their atmosphere. They all have four teeth in a beak-like form.
1. Do Pufferfish Have Scales?
- A. Yes
- B. No
Food
Surprisingly, the flesh of pufferfish can be a delicacy. In Japan, it is known as fugu. Pufferfish is very expensive and the whole fish can not be sold to the public. Only licensed or trained chefs are allowed to prepare the fish. Pufferfish contains lethal amounts of tetrodotoxin in its inner organs. There have been many death cases lately.
Diversity
There are more than 120 species of pufferfish in the world. They are commonly found in tropical or subtropical oceans such as the Pacific Ocean and the Red Sea. Some species can live in fresh or brackish water. The Maldives has 18 species of pufferfish, originally called bottom fishes that dwell on sand flats or reefs.
For survival
Some species of pufferfish are vulnerable to habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing. But many species are stable.
Toxicity
Sometimes the predator manages to catch a puffer before it inflates. All pufferfishes contain tetrodotoxin that is foul in taste and can be lethal to other fish. For humans, pufferfish can be lethally poisonous. While comparing it is 1,200 times more lethal than cyanide. A pufferfish contains enough toxins to kill 3o adults and the fact is there is no antidote you can find.
Diet
Wondering what pufferfish eats? Puffer fishes consume mostly algae and invertebrates. Their huge specimens can crack or open and eat mussels, clams, and shellfish using their hard beaks. These lethal pufferfishes are believed to synthesize their fatal toxin from the bacteria in the species they feed.
Did You Know?
- A well-known kabuki actor died after consuming the fugu
- Puffer is a delicacy in Japan, called fugu.
- Pufferfishes have spines on their skin to prevent predators.
- Pufferfish expansion of the body size is not the only tactic used against the predators. They have toxins to ward off predators.
- Pufferfish has the most elasticity in the stomach area.
- It has excellent eyesight.
- Baby pufferfish can be seen directly through the eyes. You need magnifying glasses.
- Sharks are immune to pufferfish lethal tetrodotoxin.
- The average lifespan of pufferfish is about ten years.