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Puffer Fish
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Tetraodontidae
The pufferfish, also called blowfish, swellfish, globefish, balloonfish are fish making up the family Tetraodontidae, within the order Tetraodontiformes. They are named for their ability to inflate themselves to several times their normal size by swallowing water or air when threatened; the same adaptation is found in the closely related porcupinefish, which also have spines (unlike pufferfish).
The eyes and internal organs of most pufferfish are highly toxic, but nevertheless its meat is considered a delicacy in Japan. The name fugu is used both for the fish that are eaten and for their meat. (For more details see Fugu)
There are 185 known species of the family Tetraodontidae, of which 38 can be found in Japan. They can be found worldwide from about 45° latitude north to 45° latitude south, mostly in salt water near coral reefs or the shore, but some species also live in fresh water or brackish water.
The pear-shaped pufferfish is a slow swimmer, and mainly uses its small pectoral fins for propulsion, which does not allow it to escape predators very well. In case of danger, they inflate themselves by filling their extremely elastic stomach with water (or air when outside the water) until they are almost spherical. In case this defense fails, pufferfish also contain a powerful neurotoxin in their internal organs, making them a lethal meal for most predators. It is found mainly in the ovaries and liver, to a lesser extent in the intestines and skin, and only in small amounts in the muscles and blood.
The toxin is called tetrodotoxin, or more precisely anhydrotetrodotoxin 4-epitetrodotoxin and is about 1200 times deadlier than cyanide. This poison can also be found in other animals such as the Blue-Ringed Octopus, or even some newts. The pufferfish does not create the poison itself; rather it is generated by various genera of bacteria within the fish. The fish obtains the bacteria by eating food containing these bacteria. Pufferfish that are born and grown in captivity do not produce tetrodotoxin until they receive some of the poison-producing bacteria, often by eating tissues from a toxin-producing fish. Also, some fish are more poisonous than others. A poisonous fish has enough poison to kill 30 adults.
Tetrodotoxin is a very potent neurotoxin and shuts down electrical signaling in nerves by binding to the pores of sodium channel proteins in nerve cell membranes.
Source: http://www.answers.com/Puffer%20Fish |
Demetrio, Shaver, Luc, brosnea, bartove has marked this note useful
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Wow thats a good picture, was this taken in a tank window or below water. Anyway its a good image and the details are good. Well done.
Demetrio
- Shaver (100)
- [2005-12-07 13:26]
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I Agree - WOW this shot is fantastic. Thanks for sharing it!
Hi Ricardo,
that's wonderful, it's a majestic fish and I like the blue-turquoise-water. Very well done, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda
Very good photo. Good angle and so close.
I appreciate the information about the pufferfish too.
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- zeca
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 379 W: 14 N: 533]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(2835) - [2005-12-07 17:17]
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Bela foto, Ricardo! O enquadramento estį perfeito, com o peixe na diagonal e o olho centralizado. Bom foco! A įgua rasa estį muito bonita com os reflexos.
Zeca
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- manyee
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3074 W: 233 N: 5867]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(19734) - [2005-12-08 3:27]
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Wonderful shot, Ricardo. A superb shot of the fish. I also really like the beautiful blue of the water. Well done and TFS. : )
Good angle I love the composition.
TFS. :Eyal
Fantastic shot of this Puffer Ricardo, I love the composition and DOF on this cute puffy fellow. :)
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- mrcrow
(2996)
- [2005-12-08 15:20]
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strange bird...:)
only joking...see your notes
so this is the dangerous blowfish which sushi chefs have to be licensed by the japanese government to prepare correctly..
what i like now i am on this forum is how many true wildlife photographers are here and the work shown is immaculately done and presented
our blowfish being another..
TFS
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- Kris
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 193 W: 0 N: 129]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(1808) - [2005-12-10 16:47]
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Hi,
I really like this photo. Interesting object.
Perfect composition and really nice color. Regards.
Krzysztof
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 24 W: 0 N: 176]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif){kind=small}