noun
- plural of pufferfish; small to medium-sized marine or freshwater fish that can inflate their bodies with water or air as a defense mechanism
Usage: commonly kept in aquariums; some species are highly toxic
Examples
- Pufferfishes are popular in saltwater aquariums because of their unique appearance.
- When threatened, pufferfishes inflate themselves to appear larger and more intimidating.
- Some species of pufferfishes contain tetrodotoxin, a deadly poison.
- The aquarium has a special tank dedicated to pufferfishes and other exotic fish.
- Pufferfishes use their inflation defense only when they feel genuinely threatened.
- Marine biologists study pufferfishes to understand their remarkable adaptation mechanisms.