One of the deadliest animals in the ocean, pufferfish are toxic water ‘balloons’ that know how to defend themselves against predators. But their impressive arsenal isn’t the only thing that’s fascinating about them.
They have evolved a beak-like mouth and some of the most unusual teeth you’ll see underwater. Some are even sand artists – their beautiful seabed creations puzzled scientists until 2011, when the mystery was solved.
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Where do pufferfish live?
Pufferfish are primarily found in warm tropical and subtropical waters but some live in brackish and even fresh waters.
How big are pufferfish?
The largest species of pufferfish is the giant freshwater pufferfish (Tetraodon mbu), which is found in Africa and can grow to more than 60cm long. The smallest species is the dwarf pufferfish (Carinotetraodon travancoricus), which lives in India and is approximately 2.5cm long.
How many species of pufferfish are there?
There are over 120 species of pufferfish worldwide.
What's the scientific family name of pufferfish?
The scientific family name for a pufferfish is Tetraodontidae.
How big are pufferfish?
Pufferfish can grow up to approximately 60cm (Tetraodon mbu).
What's the lifespan of a pufferfish?
Pufferfish have an average lifespan of 10 years in the wild.
What do pufferfish look like?
Pufferfish have a sSpherical body that is are scaleless and covered with rough to spiky skin (depends on species) and have two pectoral fins, anal fin, caudal fin, dorsal fin. They have large eyes on top of head and a beak-like mouth and fused teeth.
Why are pufferfish so deadly?
Pufferfish are highly dangerous to eat as most species contain tetrodotoxin (TTX), a lethal poison acquired from certain bacteria in their diet. The toxin accumulates in their liver, gonads, skin and intestines. Pufferfish themselves are immune to TTX because of a genetic mutation that prevents the toxin from affecting their nerves. Some females even coat their eggs with TTX to deter predators.
What does pufferfish poison do?
TTX binds to nerve cells, blocking signals and causing paralysis, often leading to death by suffocation. There is enough poison in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans. In Japan, the preparation of fugu, a pufferfish delicacy, is strictly regulated. Only specially trained chefs can do it.
What predators do pufferfish have?
“Only the toughest species, such as tiger sharks, common octopus and sea snakes, will take on a puffer thanks to some astounding adaptations,” according to the Natural History Museum.
What do pufferfish eat?
Pufferfish primarily feed on invertebrates and algae. Larger individuals use their strong beaks to break open and consume shellfish such as clams and mussels.
What's unusual about their teeth?
The pufferfish’s beak is formed by multiple replacement generations of only four teeth, which elongate along the jaw and are fused together.
How do pufferfish inflate?
Pufferfish are slow swimmers with small fins so can’t escape predators quickly. They rely on puffing up to make themselves too big to eat. They undergo this incredible transformation by sucking water (or air if they’re out of the water) into their elastic stomachs. Their modified gill muscles and lack of ribs enable them to swell like a balloon. The process, known as buccal pumping, allows pufferfish to grow up to four times their usual size.
Do they hold their breath when inflated?
No. When they inflate, pufferfish continue to breathe with their gills. A Biology Letters study in 2014 reported that the oxygen uptake of the black-saddled pufferfish (Canthigaster valentini) while inflated increased to five times that of resting levels.
How many times can pufferfish puff up before it dies?
Despite common misconception, there is no limit as to how many times a pufferfish can puff up in its lifetime. As pufferfish only inflate when they feel threatened, they don't puff up as frequently as you might think.
Are dead pufferfish still posionous?
If you come across a dead pufferfish, do not touch it and report it to your local authority. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) accumulates in its skin, so even if a pufferfish isn't puffed up, it is still poisonous.
Why do pufferfish make circles?
The white-spotted pufferfish (Torquigener albomaculosus) is responsible for ornate, geometric formations, which are made by males to attract mates. The fish flap their fins as they swim along the seafloor, disrupting the sediment and making circular patterns, which are adorned with pieces of dead coral and seashells. According to Scientific Reports, “Males dug valleys at various angles in a radial direction, constructing nests surrounded by radially aligned peaks and valleys.”
How do pufferfish mate?
Once the week-long building process is complete, the nest is inspected by females. If they’re impressed, mating follows. Eggs are laid by the female in the centre of the circle and the male fertilises them externally. The female disappears after laying and the male guards his brood until they hatch.
What are baby pufferfish called?
Baby pufferfish are called fry.
Are pufferfish of conservation concern?
This varies depending on the species. Most populations are considered stable, but some species are vulnerable due to pollution, habitat loss and overfishing. The Chinese puffer (Takifugu chinensis) is classed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Its global population is estimated to have declined by 99.99 per cent over the past 40 years because it is among the top four fugu species in Japan.
What’s the difference between pufferfish and porcupinefish?
Pufferfish belong to the family Tetraodontidae; porcupinefish to the family Diodontidae. Sometimes collectively known as ‘puffers’, they are easily confused as both belong to the order Tetraodontiformes. Porcupinefish can inflate, but are also armed with well-developed spines.
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Main image: close up of a guineafowl pufferfish/Getty
