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The '''Pufferfish''' may also be known as the blowfish or fugu. It is called the puffer fish because when it is threatened, it puffs up to about twice its normal size by gulping [[water]]. In this engorged state, the puffer fish can swim at only about half its normal speed.
There are about 100 species of puffer fish. Most puffer fish are found in sub-tropical and [[tropical]] marine waters (including [[coral reef]]s) in the [[Atlantic]], [[Pacific]], and [[Indian Ocean]]s. Some puffers live in brackish and fresh water.
==Poison==
Many parts of the blowfish (including the [[liver]], [[muscle]]s, [[skin]], and [[ovary|ovaries]]) contain an extremely strong, paralyzing poison called ''tetrodoxin''. This poison is about a thousand times deadlier than [[cyanide]]. There is no known antidote for this poison. Fugu (Japanese puffer fish) is eaten in [[Japan]], but is only cooked by specially-trained chefs who can minimize the amount of poison. Even so, many Japanese diners have died from eating this poisonous delicacy.
==Diet==
Pufferfish are [[carnivores]]. They eat [[coral]]s, [[sponge]]s, [[sea urchin]]s, other echinomaderms, and small [[crustacean]]s. Puffer fish crush and grind up their prey with their heavy, melded [[teeth]].
There are about 100 species of puffer fish. Most puffer fish are found in sub-tropical and [[tropical]] marine waters (including [[coral reef]]s) in the [[Atlantic]], [[Pacific]], and [[Indian Ocean]]s. Some puffers live in brackish and fresh water.
==Poison==
Many parts of the blowfish (including the [[liver]], [[muscle]]s, [[skin]], and [[ovary|ovaries]]) contain an extremely strong, paralyzing poison called ''tetrodoxin''. This poison is about a thousand times deadlier than [[cyanide]]. There is no known antidote for this poison. Fugu (Japanese puffer fish) is eaten in [[Japan]], but is only cooked by specially-trained chefs who can minimize the amount of poison. Even so, many Japanese diners have died from eating this poisonous delicacy.
==Diet==
Pufferfish are [[carnivores]]. They eat [[coral]]s, [[sponge]]s, [[sea urchin]]s, other echinomaderms, and small [[crustacean]]s. Puffer fish crush and grind up their prey with their heavy, melded [[teeth]].