Puffer Fish
Puffer Fish
The site that provides beautiful photographs and pictures of
numerous Pufferfish species together with interesting facts and
information about each type of fish.
Interesting Information about Puffer Fish
Pufferfish when threatened
can inflate their body by swallowing water to increase their
apparent size to deter predators. In addition some puffers
produce an extremely poisonous toxin called anhydrotetrodotoxin
4-epitetrodotoxin and is over a 1,000 times more poisonous than
potassium cyanide, this toxin is found in the skin, liver, and gonads. Some puffers are
considered a delicacy, this is especially true in Japan,
if not prepared properly, eating them can cause serious illness,
or even death, this explains the precaution of a doctors presence in
Japanese restaurants
serving their customers Pufferfish, this is a result of strict
government regulation and licensing.
Facts about Fish Species - How do you identify
the sex of a Puffer Fish?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors
or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish
species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes
tricky being an ichthyologist!
Facts about Fish Species - Why are Puffer Fish slimy?
Puffer Fish secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin.
This slime provides protection against parasites and infections
and helps the Puffer Fish to move through
the water faster. Some Pufferfish species also release
toxins in their slime which ward off predatory attacks, the
toxin is produced by the bacteria Pseudomonas which the fish
obtains from the food it eats.
Facts about Fish Species - Why do Puffer Fish have gills?
Gills enable the Puffer Fish to breathe. Gills consist of thin
sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over
the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon
dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a
large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however
have lungs and breathe air.
Facts about Fish Species - Why do the
Puffer Fish have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are
used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different
fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish
species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish
are designed to perform a specific function:
-
Dorsal fins - The
dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Puffer Fish
has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.
-
Ventral fins. The
ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The
Puffer Fish
has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.
-
Caudal fins. The
Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Puffer Fish
has Caudal fins to propel through the water.
-
Pectoral fins. The
Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The
Puffer Fish
has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to
side movement
Interesting Facts and Information about Puffer Fish
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