What is the Difference Between Blowfish & Puffer Fish?

When learning about the spiny fish that expands to a balloonlike shape, you may have heard it called a blowfish and a pufferfish. This probably led you to question whether there is a difference between the two. There is actually no difference between the blowfish and the pufferfish--they are both the same creature.

  1. About

    • Tetraodontidae are more commonly referred to as pufferfish, though a colloquial name for them is blowfish. Pufferfish are known for their ability to ingest a large amount of water very quickly, causing their bodies to inflate like a balloon. Because their bodies are covered with spikes instead of scales, their bodies look similar to that of a porcupine when they are inflated. There are over 120 pufferfish varieties, mostly found in the Pacific Ocean, with a few breeds preferring fresh water.

    Poison

    • The spiny needles that cover pufferfish when they inflate are highly poisonous. Many biologists suggest their natural reaction of inflating when threatened is a defense mechanism that makes up for their poor swimming ability. Tetrodoxin, the poison that pufferfish emit from their spikes, is deadly to humans as well as animal predators. It is up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide. Furthermore, one pufferfish contains enough venom to kill 30 adult humans.

    Fugu

    • In Japan, pufferfish are called "fugu" and are considered a delicacy. For those who are not too scared to try it, pufferfish can be prepared only by licensed chefs, but for a very high price. The best meat on a pufferfish is near the liver, which is also the most poisonous part of the fish. If not extracted properly, the meat can be deadly. Although some chefs have been known to leave trace amounts of poison, causing a tingling sensation on the diner's lips, there is no known antidote to tetrodoxin, so these brave foodies are putting their lives in jeopardy.

    Lionfish

    • While the pufferfish and the blowfish are one and the same, it can be confused with another species of spiny, poisonous fish called the lionfish. Like pufferfish, lionfish are also edible and found in the Pacific, but they are more likely to be coveted for their appearance and are a hot commodity for tropical aquarium owners. Although the 18 spikes on a lionfish are poisonous, unlike the pufferfish, this venom is unlikely to be fatal.