Oblong Blowfish

Facts about the Oblong Blowfish, it is a blow fish native to the western Pacific.

All in a Name

The Oblong Blowfish is sometimes called the Lattice Blaasop or oblong puffer. The Oblong Blowfish is called the Bebo in India. It is called the Buntal in Malaysia. It is known as Pita-pita in Indonesia. It is called Ruitjies-blaasop in South Africa.
The species is alternatively called Fugu oblongus, Sphaeroides oblongus, Sphoeroides oblongus, Takyfugu oblongus, Tetraodon oblongus, Tetrodon oblongus, and Torquigener oblongus. The most common scientific name for the Oblong Blowfish is Takifugu oblongus. In Japanese, it is simply called Takifugu. The Japanese word fugu means river pig. The name takifugu can translate into venomous fish cooked in liquid or waterfall fish. The species is harmless to humans, however, unless consumed after improper preparation.
The Oblong Blowfish is a member of the Tetraodontinae family, Takifugu genus. There are 25 species in this genus. Most of its relatives are found in the northwest pacific

Physical Description

The Oblong Blowfish is a pear shaped ray-finned fish. Males and females look the same, growing to 40 centimeters. The Oblong Blowfish do not have dorsal spines, but they have a dozen dorsal soft rays. The Oblong Blowfish do not have anal spines, but they have around a dozen anal soft rays. The body is covered with prickles which pop out when the fish is inflated. Their prickly texture is not as pronounced as the bony spines of porcupine fish.
The Oblong Blowfish are dark brown on top with pale spots. Their bottom is a yellow-white color with dark bars on their sides. The Oblong Blowfish can grow darker or lighter over time, though a very dark color can be a sign of illness or stress.
The entire family of blowfish produces tetrodotoxin, which is present in their skin but mostly contained in the internal organs. The poison paralyzes the muscles, which can cause paralysis of the diaphragm such that people suffocate. The poison has no antidote. However, it is only an issue if the fish is improperly prepared and then consumed. It is not a health hazard if it is placed in a fish tank and rarely touched.

Behavior

The Oblong Blowfish can inflate themselves to several times their size to deter predators, and they are poisonous to predators. As a result, they get along with other fish but are often aggressive to others of their species.
The Oblong Blowfish have strong teeth that grow over time. The Oblong Blowfish need to consume abrasive food to stay healthy. They are occasionally aggressive toward other fugu.
The Oblong Blowfish swim slowly, but they can change direction quickly and swim backward. The Oblong Blowfish prefer to stay close to the sea bed and the rocky reef.
The Oblong Blowfish will eat small sea urchins, crustaceans, and mollusks. They will eat hermit crabs.
These carnivores eat diced clams, brine shrimp, shredded fish, mussels, fish flakes, and other foods. They need a varied diet. They need to be fed several times a day.


Habitat

The Oblong Blowfish is most common in tropical brackish water. They are sometimes found in shallow coastal waters along the coast.
They need water between 77 F and 79 F.

Range

The Oblong Blowfish species is found in the western Pacific. They range from South Africa to Indonesia to Australia to Japan.

Trivia

The Oblong Blowfish species was identified by Bloch in 1786.
This family of fish has one of the smallest genomes of any vertebrates, though they have a full complement of genes.