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Pufferfish: The 'Sea Chicken' That Inflates Like a Ball to Escape Predators!
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News18•24-09-2026, 18:21
Pufferfish: The 'Sea Chicken' That Inflates Like a Ball to Escape Predators!
- •The pufferfish, also known as 'sea chicken' due to its taste, inflates like a ball by sucking in air or water when touched or threatened.
- •Its zoological name is Tetradon, meaning 'four teeth,' referring to its prominent front teeth; some species also have sharp spines on their skin.
- •There are 121 types of pufferfish globally, known for their 360-degree rotating eyes and chameleon-like ability to change color to match their surroundings.
- •These fish thrive in warm tropical and subtropical seas, often found near coral reefs and rocks, and possess the unique ability to live in freshwater.
- •Pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, a deadly poison; in Tamil Nadu, it is not consumed and is exported, as improper preparation can make it toxic.
Key Questions Answered
The pufferfish is called 'sea chicken' because its taste is said to resemble eating chicken. Fishermen also call it 'frogfish' due to its unique characteristics and appearance.
To protect itself from predators, the fish sucks in seawater and inflates like a balloon. Even when it is out of the water, it sucks in air to expand its body shape similarly.
Pufferfish are not eaten in Tamil Nadu because they contain a deadly poison called tetrodotoxin that can become dangerous if not properly removed and cooked. Instead, they are exported to other states for food.
