The Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae): The Pufferfish that comprise the Tetraodontidae Family are normally covered with spines and they have the ability to blow themselves up like balloons which is presumably a defense mechanism.

They contain the toxin tetrodotoxin, found in the skin, viscera and gonads, that also protects them from predators. The Puffers do not have pelvic fins and have formidable, strong beak-like teeth. Thus they are able to feast on a wide variety of species including the crown-of-thorns starfish. Globally there have been 121 species of Tetraodontidae identified of which nine are found in the Sea of Cortez.

The members of the Pufferfish Family represented in the fish identification section of this website include: the Balloonfish or Barred Porcupinefish, Diodon holocanthus; Bullseye Puffer or Concentric Puffer, Sphoeroides annulatus; Guineafowl Puffer, Arothron meleagris; Longnose Puffer or Lobeskin Puffer, Sphoeroides lobatus; Spotted Porcupinefish or Spotfin Porcupinefish, Diodon hystrix; and Spotted Sharpnose Pufferfish, Canthiagaster punctatissima.