Pufferfish are normally found in the coastal regions of tropical and warm seas, mostly over coral reefs or seagrass beds. Some species also live in fresh and brackish water in the Amazon, tropical Africa, eastern India and Southeast Asia. Now they can also be found in the Adriatic Sea.
A post by the Aquarium Pula, published on a social media platform in mid-May, has raised eyebrows: in mid-May 2024, seven of the extremely poisonous silver-striped pufferfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) were sighted, one of these fish was caught at a depth of 19 metres, the “evidence photos” were taken by Dr Neven Ivesa from the Jurja Dobrila University in Pula.
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Ceja is actually a small island in the bay of Medulin in the southern part of Istria, which is often visited by day tourists because of its tranquillity and seclusion. The island, which is only 0.183 square kilometres in size, lies around two kilometres north of Cape Kamenjak. The island is particularly known for its 1.64-kilometre-long shoreline with several stretches of beach and a café that is open in the summer season.
Several silver-striped puffer fish, which are considered extremely poisonous, have been spotted off Ceja
But the peace and quiet for tourists on Ceja could be over now that the poisonous fish has been spotted and even caught there. Firstly, the silver-striped pufferfish contains the “extremely strong” poison tetrodotoxin, which can cause serious health problems and – if the fish is not eaten properly – even death.
To explain: tetrodotoxin is contained in particular in the gonads (the gonads) and liver of the fish; however, it has also been detected on the skin. According to the article, a dose of just 1 to 2 mg is considered lethal.
On the other hand, the invasive puffer fish poses a serious threat to snorkellers and divers – and to fishing, as it destroys fishing nets and even bites massive fish hooks with its extremely powerful jaws. There are videos circulating on YouTube showing caught pufferfish biting into beer cans with apparent ease.
According to the Pula Aquarium, this type of fish, which can inflate in case of danger, is categorised as a so-called “Lesepian migrant”, a species that enters the Mediterranean from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal. These fish originally live in the tropics of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Due to its predatory nature and lack of natural enemies, this fish has a negative impact on biodiversity.
Pufferfish are considered shy, but they can bite on contact and cause serious injuries
Pufferfish can inflate themselves in case of danger. To do this, they use their powerful muscles to force water from their mouth cavity into a sac-like expansion of the stomach on the belly. This is intended to act as a deterrent to attackers. Strong ring muscles at the entrance to the stomach prevent the water from flowing back. The spines, which otherwise lie close to the body, now protrude outwards and act as barbs. This and the enormous increase in volume make it almost impossible for a predator to swallow the pufferfish.
Jacques Cousteau reported that pufferfish would inflate in the jaws of large predatory fish such as sharks, causing them to become stuck and the predator to suffocate.
Pufferfish are considered to be rather shy and generally avoid divers and snorkellers. If humans try to catch the fish or unintentionally get too close to them, they may bite with their powerful teeth. It is said that a bite from a large puffer fish can lead to serious injuries in humans, including the loss of a finger.
Fugu, prepared puffer fish, is considered a delicacy in Asia. However, non-toxic varieties are usually used for this purpose
And: although fatal poisonings occur time and again, prepared puffer fish, also known as Fugu is known as a delicacy in Japan, Korea and China. However, it is not advisable to prepare a fish you have caught yourself, as the special species Takifugu rubripes is usually bred in captivity for fugu, using a special feed; these fish are therefore non-toxic – unlike the specimens seen off Ceja.
Aleksandar Brkovic, who is currently working in Libya, writes in a comment on the Facebook post that the fish has also appeared there in the last ten years. He normally loves fishing, but every time he has a catch on the line, he prays that it is not a puffer fish. The fish is able to bite the hook size 2/0 (equivalent to 4.2 centimetres – editor’s note) effortlessly.
There have even been cases in which underwater fishermen have been attacked by puffer fish carrying caught fish on their belts. Brkovic goes on to write: “if you intend to throw them (the puffer fish; after a catch) back into the sea, you have to kill them first”. The only word he can think of in this context is “terrible”.
