Puffer Fish
November 1st, 2005· Puffer fish get their name from a natural ability. When they feel threatened, they puff up to as much as twice their normal size.
· Other names for puffer fish include fugu, blowfish, globefish and balloon fish.
· There are over 100 species of puffer fish. They live in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
· The poison from the puffer fish is 1,000 times stronger than cyanide. It is called tetrodoxin. One puffer fish has enough of the chemical to kill 30 adults.
· People in Japan eat puffer fish even though they know they can die if it isn’t prepared properly.
· Puffer fish are carnivores. They eat only meat.
· Puffer fish have fused teeth which they use to crush their prey and grind it. They eat sea urchins, coral, sponges and small crustaceans.
· Puffer fish have small mouths and fins in proportion to the rest of their body.
· Modified scales come in the form of spines.
· These fish have elasticized skin which enables them to puff up.
· The size of puffer fish is between six and twenty four inches long.
· Puffer fish can blink and close their eyes, which is very unusual. There are few fish that can accomplish this.
by Mary M. Alward
November 1st, 2005 at 11:08 am
I have watched these fish on tv documentaries and they are very interesting creatures. I find them fascinating. I didn’t realize they had fused teeth, nor did I realize that they could blink when not many fish species can. I wouldn’t want to meet one in real life and if I ever go to Japan, I’ll be sure not to eat any. It’s not worth taking the chance.
November 1st, 2005 at 7:58 pm
Interesting facts about these amazing creatures. Imagine have elasticized skin.
November 5th, 2005 at 11:42 pm
I didn’t realize that there were so many species of puffer fish. Interesting also that they are carnivores and have fused teeth. This site has many fascinating facts and I learn something each time I come here. I’m wondering about an article on swordfish. They are a very unique species.
November 14th, 2005 at 10:46 pm
The facts about these fish are amazing. Where these fish an evolved species of some giant fish from the dinosaur age. Just wondering since the are carnivores and have fused teeth. The entire species is very unusual.
November 19th, 2005 at 8:48 pm
thanks alot, i really needed this imformation and this website was very helpful!
December 15th, 2005 at 5:34 pm
Thats cool! I needed to know for school
February 3rd, 2006 at 8:38 pm
I am writing a research paper on the Puffer fish and couldn’t find barely anything. This site was very helpful. Thanks
February 23rd, 2006 at 11:40 am
I’m doing a project about a coral reef and my fish is called the white spotted puffer fish.
March 19th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
ha ha been there done that, that assignment is over for me, and i hope i never ever see it again. (maddie)
July 6th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
i think puffer fish are so awsome they shock my intersest
July 6th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
puffer fish are the best fish a person can have they are fish that can stay in the same tank