Also
Known As:
The porcupine puffer
fish is known by a number of various names; such as globefish, blowfish, balloonfish,
toadfish,
toado, swellfish,
fugu, botete, fahaka, and tinga.
What
is Their Classification?
The porcupine
puffer is classified under the family Diodontidae and genus Diodon. Also,
the puffer's scentific
name is Diodon
holacanthus.
Where
Are They Found?
The puffer
is found in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. In these oceans,
puffers live among the coral rock in
shallow caves or
crevices, and are more likely to be seen at night, as they are nocturnal foragers.
What
Are Some Characteristics of Their Appearence?
The puffer fish grows to a maximum length of twelve inches and is a pale brown
color. It has black or brown spots
scattered
on it's body and a fan-like dorsal fin. The puffer also has plate-sheath
teeth that are solid and spines that
are laid
down, when it is not inflated.
What Do Puffer Fish Eat?
In the ocean,
the porcupine puffer feeds on molluscs (clams and squid) and echinoderms (long-spined
sea urchin).
In a tank,
the puffer can eat live or frozen squid, shrimp, mussels, and all kinds of chopped
up fish.
How
Do They Reproduce?
Early
in the morning, one male and one female swim to the surface where eggs and sperm
are released leading to be
the eggs fertilized.
Four days later, the eggs hatch releasing a round-bodied larvae. After
three months, the larvae
has transformed
into a small porcupine fish.
Are These Puffer Fish Poisonous?
Yes,
the porcupine puffer has a strong nerve poison called tetradotoxin. The
poison is found in their skin, intestines,
gonads, and liver.
Although, research has shown that tetradotoxin does not affect other fish, it
does affect humans.
Fugu is the flesh
or musculature of the puffer, this is very edible and very popular in Japan.
Although, this fugu must
be cut by a trained
cook or the poison can be accidentially ingested.
What
Are Some Symptoms Of Tetradotoxin Poisoning?
The
symptoms of this poisoning include a tingling sensation in the lips and tongue,
which spread into the limbs and
eventually
delevops into numbness. Also, respiratory distress is caused by tetradotoxin,
which leads to a sixty
percent
fatality rate within twenty-four hours.
Are There Any Treatments For This Poisoning?
Unfortunately,
there are no special treatments or antidotes for tetradotoxin poisoning.
However, if someone is believed to have ingested tetradotoxin they should induce
vomiting (immediately) and afterwards be given antihistaminic drugs.
Related Links:
Where to Purchase Puffers
What
Are Some Tank Requirements
More Information
About Tetradotoxin
Bibliography:
1. Halstead, Bruce W. Dangerous Marine Animals. Centreville, Maryland: Cornell Maritime Press,1995: 226-8.
2. Thresher, Ronald E. Reef Fish. St. Petersburg, Florida: Palmetto Publishing Company. 1980:129-130.
3. Puffer Project
http://projectpuffer.tripod.com/d_holacanthus.htm
4. Unusual Fish
http://www.seasky.org/sea2h.html
5. Fish Images
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/6176/peanut_2.JPG
6. UK HGMP Resource Centre
http://fugu.hgmp.mrc.ac.uk/fugu/pffp/fishtank.html
7. Blowfish and Trade
http://www.american.edu/projects/mandala/TED/BLOWFISH.HTM
