Pufferfish: Fascinating Facts

Pufferfish: Fascinating Facts

1. Deadly toxins
   Most pufferfish produce tetrodotoxin (TTX)—a nerve toxin found in their liver, ovaries, skin, and intestines. Just one fish can contain enough to kill 30 adults, and there’s no known antidote
   
2. Unusual defense mechanism
   When threatened, they inflate by gulping water (or air), transforming into spiky balls that deter predators
   
3. Body structure unique to their kind
   Pufferfish lack ribs, pelvic bones, and typical scales. Instead, they have beak-like fused teeth and retractable spines only visible when inflated 
4. Colorful species diversity
   With over 120 species living in marine, brackish, and even fresh waters, pufferfish come in vivid hues and diverse shapes 

5. Masters of underwater engineering
   Some males, like the white-spotted pufferfish, sculpt intricate sand circles—up to 2 m wide—to attract mates, a process likened to underwater art 

6. A gourmet thrill—or danger
   In Japan, fugu (pufferfish) is considered a delicacy. Only highly trained chefs can prepare it safely, as accidental servings have been fatal 

Ecological trade-off
While they’re fascinating and important to biodiversity, their toxicity and slow movement make them dangerous if mishandled—especially to predators and humans