Species · GBIF taxon 2407604
Tiger Puffer
Takifugu rubripesAlso known as Japanese Puffer, Japanese Pufferfish, Torafugu
Tiger puffers are highly recognizable marine fish featuring a dark, mottled pattern of spots and a distinctive black patch behind the pectoral fin. They navigate coastal waters using precise, hovering pectoral fin movements and can rapidly inflate their bodies with water or air when threatened. While famous for containing lethal tetrodotoxin in their internal organs, they are also celebrated in science for having one of the smallest genomes among vertebrates.
MarineToxicBenthic
Licensed referenceOpenCage / CC BY-SA 2.5 · CC BY-SA 2.5
- diet
- Crustaceans, mollusks, sea urchins, and small fish
- family
- Tetraodontidae
- threats
- Overfishing for the luxury culinary market and coastal habitat degradation
- life Span
- Up to 10 years
NT
Contains lethal tetrodotoxin in internal organs; never consume unless prepared by a licensed chef.
Contains tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin concentrated in the liver, ovaries, and skin that can cause fatal paralysis.
Never touch or attempt to harvest this fish; leave handling entirely to certified professionals.- Observe from a distance: Watch their unique, hovering swimming style in coastal shallows without cornering them.
- Avoid handling: Their skin is covered in tiny prickles that can cause irritation, and stress triggers inflation.