The pufferfish is also known as the spiny pufferfish and spiny pufferfish, whose Latin name is Diodon sp. They live in tropical waters worldwide and in some subtropical and temperate regions. They belong to the family Diodontidae (spiny puffer fishes).
Curiosities About Balloonfish
It is named after its most distinctive feature that distinguishes it from other fish. This is its ability to inflate its body in times of danger. It can increase its body diameter up to three times by taking in water or air into certain parts of its digestive tract. During this inflation process, its long spines, which are normally attached to its body, become erect. In this way, the fish not only increases its body size, but also creates a powerful defense mechanism to deter potential predators.
Physical characteristics of puffer fish
They do not have scales on their skin and have slippery bodies. The body structure of this fish species is round and hard. Their eyes are large and protruding, so they have good vision. They have very strong teeth. The four teeth that meet in the upper and lower jaw form a very sharp and hard structure. These teeth can easily break and shatter hard surfaces. What’s more interesting is that their teeth continue to grow for life. Therefore, they grind their teeth by consuming harder prey. If you touch a pufferfish with your bare hands or try to catch it, you can be injured by a powerful bite.
How to Feed Puffer Fish?
Usually small crustaceans, molluscs, corals and seaweeds and feeds on them. Thanks to its hard tooth structure, it can easily crush shellfish. Balloon fish are considered to be among the species that disrupt the balance of the marine ecosystem in some regions in case of overpopulation.
The Harm of Blowfish on Humans and Other Living Things
Blowfish is a poisonous fish and its liver, skin and some internal organs contain tetrodotoxin (TTX). This poison is 1200 times more potent than cyanide and can paralyze the nervous system and cause respiratory failure. It is fatal to humans, so consuming it carries serious health risks. Puffer fish, known as “Fugu” in Japan and prepared by special chefs, can cause serious poisoning when consumed without careful cleaning.
The pufferfish is an invasive species and in some areas it causes the decline of native fish species. It also has negative impacts on fisheries. Because it is poisonous, it can make other fish unsuitable for consumption when caught in nets.
Are There Blowfish in Turkey?
The pufferfish, which has recently started to spread rapidly along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, has become a risk for both the ecosystem and fisheries. Lagocephalus sceleratus (Silver Blowfish), the most common species along the Turkish coast, is also the most dangerous species. Lagocephalus spadiceus (Yellow Blowfish), Lagocephalus suezensis (Suez Blowfish), Torquigener flavimaculosus (Yellow Spotted Blowfish) are the species seen in Turkey. From the Red Sea It is thought to have migrated to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal and reached Turkey.
If you encounter puffer fish in the sea or on the shore, you should be careful and avoid touching it with bare hands and never consume it
How to recognize puffer fish poisoning?
Puffer fish poisoning is a serious condition that affects the nervous system due to the tetrodotoxin (TTX) it contains. Symptoms of poisoning can occur within 10 minutes to 3 hours after consuming the fish. The main symptoms of poisoning are numbness in the mouth and lips, tingling sensation in the face and body, in more advanced cases, nausea and vomiting, and in the most advanced cases, muscle weakness and loss of reflexes, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. Blowfish poisoning is a fatal type of poisoning. Therefore, rapid medical intervention is vital. In case of a suspicious situation, you should immediately contact the nearest health institution.
Why is the Blowfish Reproducing?
In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the pufferfish population off the coast of Turkey. The main reasons for this are that the warming waters of the Mediterranean Sea offer favorable conditions for the reproduction and survival of pufferfish. The populations of pufferfish species in Turkey are increasing uncontrollably due to the decrease in predators in the ecosystem. This is actually due to the disruption of the balance of nature. Blowfish migrate from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal and spread to new habitats. Their ability to utilize many food sources, such as crustaceans, small fish and corals, contributes to the rapid growth of their populations. Since pufferfish is an invasive species, it causes negative impacts on the balance of the ecosystem. Therefore, it is aimed to limit the population through controlled fishing and awareness-raising activities.
Is Puffer Fish Fished in Turkey?
The answer to this question is yes. In Turkey, pufferfish fishing is encouraged. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has initiated award-winning fishing programs for fishermen in order to control the pufferfish population.
- Starting in 2020, the incentive program pays fishermen for pufferfish of a certain size.
- Fishermen, especially in the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, contribute to the balance of the ecosystem by catching these species.
- There are ongoing awareness raising efforts that puffer fish is not suitable for human consumption and is poisonous. In this content, we aimed to increase this awareness.
At Emaar Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, you can see this creature up close and watch the features described live.
