Pupperfish or Botete caught live in Zamboanga Sea Port

                                 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_yPp7gmznA

It's not what you think it is! Try to guess it again.

If you are thinking it's Hippopotamus, but sorry your guess is not right?

Crocodile?...No!

Snake?... No!

A fish? Yes!..But what kind of fish?

PUFFERFISH? Correct!

                                                       

It was during a hot summer afternoon in July when my friend Ryan Philip Nava has decided to go for fishing. He was occupied that time to prepare for a bait. Considering a kind of fish meat, he then used it as a sumptuous meal for the fishes he might catch along the seaport, an ideal place for a relaxing fishing activity. 

                                    

                                             

After quite some time, a single fish had been hooked. Ryan Philip immediately checked his bait, however his sweet smile of surprise turned into a shocking disappointment. It was a just puffer fish!

                                 

Many names are associated with Pupper fish such as blowfish, bubblefish, globefish, baloon fish, and "Botete" for the locals in the Philippines which belongs to the family of Tetradontidae. 

Why do you think it has the ability to bloat? 

Well, such kind of fish, when threatened, has the capability to inflate itself beyond their normal size  by swallowing water or air with the intention to frighten the predators.

Many of us believe that Pupperfish, when the toxic glands are not removed  inside its body, is very poisonous to those who eat. According to national geographic, almost all pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, a substance that makes them foul tasting and often lethal to fish. 

Puffer fish poisoning has been reported to a great extent in many parts of the world, particularly in coastal areas. This poisoning has mostly been associated with the consumption of puffer fish from waters of the Indo-Pacific ocean regions.

Diagnosis is made on clinical grounds. There is no specific antidote for tetrodotoxin and treatment is aimed at limiting absorption of toxin and treating the adverse effects.