Also known as toadfish, globefish or boxfish. This is a small fish that is occasionally caught by surfcasters and rock anglers around New Zealand. When caught it inflates its body with water which greatly increases its apparent size. This likely being a ruse to frighten off predators.
This species of pufferfish is small reaching only about 15cm maximum length. The overall colour is light gray, being whitish underneath, with darker gray to greenish brown blotches on the upper body. The skin is rough. The head and mouth are small though the fused teeth are very sharp. Puffer fish eat crustaceans and molluscs. They will readily take baited hooks.
Found all around New Zealand but are more prevalent around the South Island. I have caught them from time to time surfcasting at Birdlings Flat near Christchurch.
The pufferfish is poisonous and should not be eaten under any circumstances. The whole body, but in particular the digestive organs, contain deadly neuro-toxins which can kill humans and other animals. Dogs are sometimes killed by the poison when they eat puffer fish washed up on the beach! Do not touch them with your hands should you accidentally catch one while fishing.
The pufferfish gives off a strong perfume like odor when hauled up onto the beach. The smell is not unpleasant but once experienced you never forget it.
Return to: Directory of New Zealand Fishes
