The Pufferfish is also known as the blowfish, fugu, swellfish, and globefish. It is called the pufferfish because when it is threatened, it puffs up to about twice its normal size by gulping water. In this engorged state, the pufferfish can swim at only about half its normal speed. There are about 100 species of pufferfish.
Some puffers live in brackish and fresh water.
This poison is about a thousand times deadlier than cyanide. There is no known antidote for this poison. Even so, many Japanese diners have died from eating this poisonous delicacy. They eat corals, sponges, sea urchins, other echinoderms, and small crustaceans . Pufferfish crush and grind up their prey with their heavy, fused teeth.