{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "pufferfish",
  "name": "Pufferfish",
  "scientificName": "Tetraodontidae",
  "category": "Fish",
  "summary": "Pufferfish are a family of tropical fish (Tetraodontidae) famous for inflating their stretchy stomachs with water into a spiny ball when threatened. They swim slowly and manoeuvrably through warm seas, and a few species live in fresh water. Most reach around 30 cm long, weigh roughly 1.2 kg, and live about 10 years. Many carry tetrodotoxin, one of the deadliest natural poisons, which makes them among the most toxic animals in the sea.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Actinopterygii",
    "order": "Tetraodontiformes",
    "family": "Tetraodontidae",
    "genus": null
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 1.2,
    "lengthM": 0.3,
    "topSpeedKmh": 12,
    "lifespanYears": 10
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Tetraodontidae (family)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore / omnivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Tropical and subtropical seas, some freshwater"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "Around 10 years for many species"
    },
    {
      "label": "Length",
      "value": "2.5 cm to over 60 cm by species"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Slow, maneuverable swimmer"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Varies by species (most Least Concern)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Tropical and subtropical seas worldwide, with some species in brackish and freshwater of Asia and Africa.",
    "continents": [
      "Oceans",
      "Asia"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Tetraodontidae.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Tetraodontidae&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Wikipedia — Pufferfish.",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetraodontidae"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/pufferfish/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/pufferfish/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}