Puffer Fish
June Amerman
Classification Order
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii
- Order: Tetraodontiformes
- Family: Tetraodontidae
- Genus: Tetraodon
- Specious: T. fluviatilis
- Toad fish
- Toadies
- Honey toads
- Swell fish
Habitat
Found in: Central Africa, South America, East Asia; salt and fresh water;
shallow reefs and coral reefs.
Most of the species live their whole life in fresh water.
They avoid cold waters and try to live in warm waters.
Diet
Carnivores "meat eating"
Corals and sponges
They have four teeth that from into a beak shape. It is used to open clams and other food items .
Social interactions
They are very social fish, but do not live in groups; more solitary animals. Also, they avoid spending time in the open because it makes them vulnerable to other animals in the ocean. They are very protective over their eggs.
Movement
Puffer fish swim at a very slow paste. For protection they puff out and realese a toxin that poisons their pretitor. Some fish like sharks are not harmed by their toxin, tetrodox, and can consume the puffer fish.
The Fish
Their are 120 different kinds of puffer fish that come in various sizes. For the most part, they are small, but can reach to 39 inches and some even larger. They also come in a variety of colors. The color of the fish tends to become brighter with the amount of toxin it contains.
Reproduction
The female lays her eggs that float to the top of the water. The male then fertilizes them. Within a few days they hatch and begin to develop a shell, teeth, and other physical features.
Interesting Facts!
The second most poisonous animal in the world.
Has terrific eye sight.
Has many different names: Fugu, Swell Fish, Globe Fish, and Blow Fish