TRIVIA BITS ... PUFFER FISH

TRIVIA BITS ... PUFFER FISH

A puffer fish inflates its body with water into a spherical shape in order to defend itself. When the puffer fish is distended, it can barely move, but its spines and size make it practically impossible to attack. When it is lifted out of the water, it can still inflate with air as a defense. In Japan, the puffer fish is called fugu and the meat is considered a delicacy. However, puffer fish contain a highly toxic substance in the liver and intestines, so unless the preparation is done very carefully, the meat can be deadly; about 100 people die annually in Japan from eating puffer fish. The puffer fish is one of the few fish species that can blink and close its eyes. It also goes by the name swellfish or blowfish.