PUFFERFISH
PUFFERFISH The Tetraodontidae are a family of primarily marine and estuarine fish of the order Tetraodontiformes. The family includes many familiar species which are variously called Pufferfish, Puffers, Balloonfish, Blowfish, Blowies, Bubblefish, Globefish, Swellfish, Toadfish, Toadies, Honey Toads, Sugar Toads & Sea Squab. They are morphologically similar to the closely related Porcupine Fish, which have large external spines (unlike the thinner, hidden spines of the Tetraodontidae , which are only visible when the fish has puffed up). The scientific name refers to the four large teeth, fused into an upper and lower plate, which are used for crushing the hard shells of crustaceans and molluscs, their natural prey. The majority of Pufferfish species are toxic and some are among the most poisonous vertebrates in the world. In certain species, the internal organs, such as the liver, and sometimes their skin, contain tetrodot...