Pauline Walsh Jacobson, USA
Info
Sphoeroides testudineus (Linnaeus, 1758)
The checkered pufferfish, Sphoeroides testudineus, is one of several species of fish in the family Tetradontidae, meaning “four teeth.” Pufferfish have four tooth plates arranged in quadrants, with two teeth at the bottom and two at the top (Carpenter 2002). These teeth form a strong, heavy beak capable of eating hard prey such as molluscs and crustaceans, as well as splashworms, tunicates, seagrass and detritus.
Pufferfish are named for their ability to swell when threatened by swallowing water or air. They have no spiny dorsal fin, missing or reduced scales, sandpaper-like teeth on various parts of the body, and a reduced gill opening.
The checkered pufferfish is pale brown to yellowish with a polygonal or square network of lines centered on the middle of the back in front of the dorsal fin in a pattern. The lines are dark gray to olive, with small, dark brown spots on the cheeks and lower sides. The belly is whitish and without patterns. Dark bands can be seen on the caudal fin.
Sphoeroides testudineus is commonly found in bays, seagrass beds, tidal channels, mangrove swamps and freshwater areas. Most populations occur in association with seagrass meadows and mangroves, although some individuals are also found in rocky intertidal and hard bottom areas.
Information on the maximum age and average lifespan of Sphoeroides testudineus is not available. Growth rates vary depending on environmental conditions, food availability and other factors. The maximum size for the checkered pufferfish is 38,8cm, but most specimens are much smaller.
It is a common species found in many habitats, including estuaries. Juvenile fish often live in seagrass beds and near mangrove roots.
Poisonous to eat !
Synonyms:
Sphaeroides testudineus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Tetraodon testudineus Linnaeus, 1758
Puffer fish can produce toxins such as tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin and accumulate them in the skin, gonads and liver.
The toxin tetrodotoxin, which is contained in the fugu, is 1000 times more toxic than cyanide and there is no antidote serum, death then occurs by respiratory paralysis
The degree of toxicity varies depending on the species, but also on the geographical area and season.
We recommend that you never prepare puffer fish yourself, as the risk of fatal poisoning is far too great.
If you still absolutely want to eat puffer fish meat (fugu), then the fish should only be slaughtered by a Japanese special chef with a license and several years of training.
Only the training of these special chefs can guarantee the correct slaughter, complete removal and proper disposal of all toxic parts of the fish.
The checkered pufferfish, Sphoeroides testudineus, is one of several species of fish in the family Tetradontidae, meaning “four teeth.” Pufferfish have four tooth plates arranged in quadrants, with two teeth at the bottom and two at the top (Carpenter 2002). These teeth form a strong, heavy beak capable of eating hard prey such as molluscs and crustaceans, as well as splashworms, tunicates, seagrass and detritus.
Pufferfish are named for their ability to swell when threatened by swallowing water or air. They have no spiny dorsal fin, missing or reduced scales, sandpaper-like teeth on various parts of the body, and a reduced gill opening.
The checkered pufferfish is pale brown to yellowish with a polygonal or square network of lines centered on the middle of the back in front of the dorsal fin in a pattern. The lines are dark gray to olive, with small, dark brown spots on the cheeks and lower sides. The belly is whitish and without patterns. Dark bands can be seen on the caudal fin.
Sphoeroides testudineus is commonly found in bays, seagrass beds, tidal channels, mangrove swamps and freshwater areas. Most populations occur in association with seagrass meadows and mangroves, although some individuals are also found in rocky intertidal and hard bottom areas.
Information on the maximum age and average lifespan of Sphoeroides testudineus is not available. Growth rates vary depending on environmental conditions, food availability and other factors. The maximum size for the checkered pufferfish is 38,8cm, but most specimens are much smaller.
It is a common species found in many habitats, including estuaries. Juvenile fish often live in seagrass beds and near mangrove roots.
Poisonous to eat !
Synonyms:
Sphaeroides testudineus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Tetraodon testudineus Linnaeus, 1758
Puffer fish can produce toxins such as tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin and accumulate them in the skin, gonads and liver.
The toxin tetrodotoxin, which is contained in the fugu, is 1000 times more toxic than cyanide and there is no antidote serum, death then occurs by respiratory paralysis
The degree of toxicity varies depending on the species, but also on the geographical area and season.
We recommend that you never prepare puffer fish yourself, as the risk of fatal poisoning is far too great.
If you still absolutely want to eat puffer fish meat (fugu), then the fish should only be slaughtered by a Japanese special chef with a license and several years of training.
Only the training of these special chefs can guarantee the correct slaughter, complete removal and proper disposal of all toxic parts of the fish.
