Inflated pufferfish. Inflated spotted pufferfish (Arothron meleagris) with a scuba diver. The pufferfish inflates itself by gulping in water. The sudden increase in size confuses and deters predators. This pufferfish is also highly toxic. Symbiotic bacteria inside it produce the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTX),one of the most deadly poisons known. TTX is also found in the blue-ringed octopus and several other marine creatures. The spotted pufferfish inhabits reefs in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. It feeds on corals,crustaceans and molluscs,and can reach a length of 50 centimetres. Photographed off Hawaii,USA | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Wood, Andrew G. |
Bildgröße: | 2936 px × 1964 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: |
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