What is Pufferfish?
{{Taxobox | name = | image = tetraodon-hispidus.jpg | image_caption = [[White-spotted puffer]], ''Arothron hispidus'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Actinopterygii]] | subclassis = [[Neopterygii]] | infraclassis = [[Teleostei]] | ordo = '''Tetraodontiformes''' }} '''Tetraodontiformes''' is an order of fish, with about 100 [[species]].<ref>Keiichi, Matsura & Tyler, James C. 1998. In Paxton J.R. & Eschmeyer W.N. (eds) ''Encyclopedia of fishes''. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 230–231. ISBN 0-12-547665-5</ref> They are known as the '''blowfish''', '''fugu''', '''swellfish''', and '''globefish'''. They are called pufferfish because when they are threatened, they puff up to about twice their normal size by gulping water. In this enlarged state, the pufferfish can swim at only about half their normal speed. Pufferfish are generally believed to be the second-most [[poison]]ous [[vertebrates]] in the world, after the [[golden poison frog]]. They use [[tetrodotoxin]], a powerful [[neurotoxin]]. Most pufferfish are found in sub-tropical and tropical marine waters (including [[Coral|coral reefs]]) in the [[Atlantic]], [[Pacific]], and [[Indian Ocean]]s. Some pufferfish live in [[brackish]] and [[fresh water]]. [[File:Water_baloon_(2196115607).jpg|thumb|left|180px|Pufferfish in swollen state]] The scientific name refers to the four large teeth, fused into an upper and lower plate, which are used for crushing the shells of [[crustacean]]s and [[mollusk]]s, their natural prey. Even though pufferfish are poisonous, the meat of some species is eaten in [[Japan]] (as 河豚, pronounced 'fugu'), [[Korea]] (as 복 bok or 복어 bogeo ), and [[China]] (as 河豚 hétún). It is prepared by specially trained [[chef]]s who know which parts, and how much of them, are safe to eat. Aside from extant pufferfish, there are also prehistoric pufferfish, like ''[[Zignoichthys]]''. Some people also keep pufferfish as [[pet]]s. == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Tetraodontiformes]]