Ronny Kreuzberg, Spanien (Tauchen auf den Kanaren)
Info
Just a glance at the occurrence of Lagocephalus lagocephalus makes it clear that it is not only a very widespread species, but also an “invasive species that has also found its way into the Mediterranean through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, which is of particular concern to sun and bathing-hungry tourists and fishermen.
The following pufferfish species are currently recorded in the Mediterranean:
Lagocephalus lagocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Sphoeroides pachygaster (Müller & Troschel, 1848)
Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789)
These species are mainly found at depths of 10 - 100 meters, but can also be found in seagrass beds and estuaries.
According to Dr. Cornelia Nauen, the skin of the pufferfish is poisonous, so please do not touch the fish (Hamburger Abendblatt from 30.05.2024 “Deadly fish in the Mediterranean: ‘There is no antidote’.
These fish can also release the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTX), for which there is no antidote.
Bathing shoes are recommended in areas with seagrass beds in shallow water!
Pufferfish are also problematic for local fishermen, as they cause major losses in longline fishing, as they like to eat parts of the catch and also bite nets and lines.
It is not yet possible to estimate the long-term effects on the native species, but it is possible to estimate the effects on the Indian lionfish, which has also immigrated:
It is known from the Caribbean, where there were originally no lionfish, but where they were presumably released, that the ever-hungry lionfish devour entire reefs, as they are not known as predators by the native fish.
Let's hope that this development will not occur in the Mediterranean in the coming years.
Synonyme:
Lagocephalus exilis Tanaka, 1916 · unaccepted
Lagocephalus lagocephalus lagocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) · unaccepted (synonym)
Lagocephalus lagocephalus nigridorsum Fowler, 1944 · unaccepted
Lagocephalus lagocephalus oceanicus Jordan & Evermann, 1903 · unaccepted
Lagocephalus oceanicus Jordan & Evermann, 1903 · unaccepted
Tetraodon janthinus Vaillant & Sauvage, 1875 · unaccepted
Tetraodon lagocephalus Linnaeus, 1758 · unaccepted
Tetrodon pennantii Yarrell, 1836 · unaccepted
Tetrodon stellatus Donovan, 1804 · unaccepted
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 following pufferfish species are currently recorded in the Mediterranean:
Lagocephalus lagocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Sphoeroides pachygaster (Müller & Troschel, 1848)
Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789)
These species are mainly found at depths of 10 - 100 meters, but can also be found in seagrass beds and estuaries.
According to Dr. Cornelia Nauen, the skin of the pufferfish is poisonous, so please do not touch the fish (Hamburger Abendblatt from 30.05.2024 “Deadly fish in the Mediterranean: ‘There is no antidote’.
These fish can also release the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTX), for which there is no antidote.
Bathing shoes are recommended in areas with seagrass beds in shallow water!
Pufferfish are also problematic for local fishermen, as they cause major losses in longline fishing, as they like to eat parts of the catch and also bite nets and lines.
It is not yet possible to estimate the long-term effects on the native species, but it is possible to estimate the effects on the Indian lionfish, which has also immigrated:
It is known from the Caribbean, where there were originally no lionfish, but where they were presumably released, that the ever-hungry lionfish devour entire reefs, as they are not known as predators by the native fish.
Let's hope that this development will not occur in the Mediterranean in the coming years.
Synonyme:
Lagocephalus exilis Tanaka, 1916 · unaccepted
Lagocephalus lagocephalus lagocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) · unaccepted (synonym)
Lagocephalus lagocephalus nigridorsum Fowler, 1944 · unaccepted
Lagocephalus lagocephalus oceanicus Jordan & Evermann, 1903 · unaccepted
Lagocephalus oceanicus Jordan & Evermann, 1903 · unaccepted
Tetraodon janthinus Vaillant & Sauvage, 1875 · unaccepted
Tetraodon lagocephalus Linnaeus, 1758 · unaccepted
Tetrodon pennantii Yarrell, 1836 · unaccepted
Tetrodon stellatus Donovan, 1804 · unaccepted
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.
