Why do blowfish puff up when triggered?

Haha, I like how you use the word triggered. But seriously though, pufferfishes puff up their body when they feel threatened. They do this because they have a slow, somewhat clumsy swimming style that makes them vulnerable to predators. read more

Haha, I like how you use the word triggered. But seriously though, pufferfishes puff up their body when they feel threatened. They do this because they have a slow, somewhat clumsy swimming style that makes them vulnerable to predators. Every animal has its own defense mechanism, well, speed is just not the pufferfishes forte. read more

Puffing up is highly stressful for the fish and air can become trapped inside its body. If the trapped air prevents the fish from deflating, the puffer will die. If a puffer is frightened when out of water it will suck in air instead of water and this is also dangerous for the fish. read more

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Seattle Aquarium. Pufferfish will “puff up” as a defense mechanism if they are threatened. read more