Also, despite their lethal concoction of body toxins, the flesh of puffer fish is widely sought after as a culinary delight in some countries, especially in Japan, where the dish is known as fugu. On many coral reefs, puffer fish are caught and dried in their inflated position for sale to tourists. Some bottom-dwelling species nestle into the substrate by altering the main colors of the skin, many are able to effectively camouflage themselves from the watchful eye of predators.Īlthough puffer fishes have an impressive arsenal of defensive tactics, some species may be threatened as a result of overfishing for resale to meet the demands of the tourist industry. When resting, puffer fish generally seek out a concealed part of a coral reef or similar abode and hide away in a crevice. The teeth of most species of puffer fish are joined to form two sharp-edged plates in each jaw. Some prefer to feed almost exclusively on plankton, but many species also prey heavily on large invertebrates such as mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, crabs, and worms using their sharp, beak like teeth and powerful jaws to crush and sift through the defensive body armor that these other animals use in an attempt to protect themselves from predators. Puffer fish feed on a wide range of items. Most puffer fish are brightly colored -a system often employed in the animal kingdom to warn potential attackers that their flesh is at best unpalatable and at worst lethal. The various toxins attack the nervous system of species that eat them and may kill the animal unless it has the ability to detoxify the lethal products. They are widely thought of as the most poisonous of all marine animals. In addition to this impressive defensive tactic, most puffer fish also contain a wide range of body toxins, particularly in the liver, gonads, skin, and intestine. Although puffer fish are unable to swim effectively in this position, the strategy is a deliberate anti-predator action instead of swimming, the fish drifts with the ocean current. In this inflated stance, few larger species would be tempted to attack it and risk almost certain injury. When the fish is threatened, however, it inflates its body by a sudden intake of a large volume of water or air, erecting its spines in the process. Normally these spines, which are modified scales, lie flat against the body. These are frequently denser on the lower parts of the body. In addition to their characteristic body shape, puffer fishes can be distinguished from most other species by the fact that their bodies are virtually covered with large numbers of spines of unequal length. ![]() These fish swim by side-to-side sculling movements of the dorsal and anal fins, while the pectoral fins assist with balance and direction. ![]() Most puffer fish are recognized by their short, stout, almost bloated appearance, their small fins, and their large eyes. Their closest relatives are the similar-looking porcupine fishes (Diodontidae) and the very much larger sun fishes (Molidae). Most are typically found in shallow waters, often on coral reefs, in beds of sea grass, and in estuaries, swimming and feeding during daylight. A few freshwater species occur in tropical Africa and Asia. Life in the Chesapeake Bayby Alice Jane Lippson and Robert L.Puffer fish or globe fish (family Tetraodontidae) are a group of tropical- and warm-temperate-dwelling species that are almost exclusively marine in their habits.The northern puffer is not an efficient swimmer it swims by moving its tail fin back and forth like a paddle to propel itself forward.Many people enjoy eating northern puffer, which is sold in fish markets as "sea squab." Although some types of puffers are poisonous, the northern puffer is not.If caught and thrown back into the water while inflated, a northern puffer will float upside down at the surface for a few moments, then quickly deflate and swim away. Puffers puff up by inhaling air or water into a special chamber near the stomach.Little else is known about the northern puffer's life cycle. ![]() The female lays sticky eggs that attach to the bottom and the male guards the eggs until they hatch. Spawning occurs from May-August in shallow waters near the shore. The puffer's ability to puff up into a prickly ball deters many predators. Northern puffers uses their strong, beak-like mouths to crush the shells of small mollusks, crustaceans and other invertebrates. Its small dorsal fin is set far back, near its tail. Dark, vertical, splotchy bars appear on its sides and small, black spots appear on its back, sides and cheeks. It has a yellow or white belly and a tiny, beak-like mouth. Its yellow, brown or olive body is covered in small prickles. ![]() The northern puffer usually grows 8 to 10 inches in length.
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