Studies of the Long-spine porcupinefish Diodon holacanthus show it has evolved a stretchy stomach which has lost its digestive function to allow it to puff up.
The stomach, which has a special lining, is large and folds back on itself within an enlarged cavity in the peritoneum — a membrane within the abdominal cavity. When the puffer is threatened, the stomach expands into the peritoneal space and the stomach unfolds to fill gaps beneath the head, dorsal, anal fin and caudal peduncle. If puffer fish are swimming, they gulp water into a special sack near their belly.
But if they are frightened while in the air, perhaps while being fished out of the water, they will also gulp in air. Being able to puff up while also having lots of spines on your body is also a great way to ward off predators.
One idea scientists have about the ancestors of puffer fish is that they coughed, then they evolved a blowing behavior that many species still use today to find and reveal prey buried under the sand. Amazing Animals. Weird But True! Party Animals.
Try This! Explore More. Common Name: Pufferfish. Scientific Name: Tetraodontidae. In Japan, puffer fish is actually a delicacy called fugu, which only trained chefs can prepare. And considering that these fish are basically spike balls filled with poison and we're still serving them in restaurants, they must be seriously delicious. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options.
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