|White-spotted puffer, Arothron hispidus| Tetraodontidae is a
family of primarily marine and estuarine fish of the order
Tetraodontiformes. The family includes many familiar species,
which are variously called pufferfish, puffers, balloonfish,
blowfish, bubblefish, globefish, swellfish, toadfish, toadies,
honey toads, sugar toads, and sea squab. They are
morphologically similar to the closely related porcupinefish,
which have large external spines (unlike the thinner, hidden
spines of Tetraodontidae, which are only visible when the fish
has puffed up). The scientific name refers to the four large
teeth, fused into an upper and lower plate, which are used for
crushing the shells of crustaceans and mollusks, their natural
prey. Pufferfish are generally believed to be the second most
poisonous vertebrates in the world, after the golden poison
frog. Certain internal organs, such as liver, and sometimes the
skin, are highly toxic to most animals when eaten; nevertheless,
the meat of some species is considered a de