Lagocephalus sceleratus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lagocephalus sceleratus |
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The silver-cheeked toadfish (scientific name: Lagocephalus sceleratus) is a very poisonous bony fish. It belongs to the pufferfish family. People also call it the Sennin-fugu (Japanese: 仙人河豚) in Japan. This fish was first described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789.
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Where the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish Lives
This fish is commonly found in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It has also moved into the eastern Mediterranean Sea. This happened through the Suez Canal, a journey called a Lessepsian migration.
Spreading Through the Mediterranean
The silver-cheeked toadfish is now spreading west across the Mediterranean. It has been seen near the coasts of Israel, southern Turkey, Cyprus, and parts of Greece. This includes Crete and Rhodes. In 2013, it was found near Lampedusa Island. By 2015, it appeared off Malta and in the Adriatic Sea near Montenegro. One fish was even caught in Gruissan, France, in 2014. Greek authorities have sent out warnings about this fish. In 2022, Croatian fishermen caught one near Pašman island, leading to another warning. The fish has now reached as far west as the Strait of Gibraltar.
Its Natural Home
In its original home, like the Red Sea, the silver-cheeked toadfish lives on rocky seabeds. It can be found in shallow coastal waters or as deep as 250 meters (about 820 feet). In 2018, this fish was also caught near the Cape Verde Islands off West Africa. This led to warnings for local fishermen and people about the dangers of eating it.
What the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish Looks Like
The silver-cheeked toadfish looks a lot like the oceanic pufferfish. However, it has a longer body and a tail fin that is symmetrical, meaning both sides are the same.
Colors and Size
Its back is usually grey or brown with darker spots. Its belly is white. A special silver band runs along each side of the fish. The silver-cheeked toadfish can grow up to 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) long.
What the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish Eats
This fish mainly eats small creatures that live on the seafloor. These are called benthic invertebrates.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The eggs and young larvae of the silver-cheeked toadfish are found floating in the open ocean. This area is known as the pelagic zone.
Danger to Humans
Like other pufferfish, the silver-cheeked toadfish is very poisonous if eaten. It contains a deadly substance called tetrodotoxin. This toxin is mostly found in its ovaries. Smaller amounts are in its skin, muscles, and liver. The toxin helps protect the fish from animals that want to eat it. The fish becomes toxic by eating bacteria that contain this poison.
Effects of the Toxin
If a person eats this fish, the tetrodotoxin can cause serious problems. It can paralyze the muscles that work without you thinking, like those for breathing. This can cause a person to stop breathing or lead to heart failure. Sadly, there have been reports of people dying from eating this fish in countries like Egypt and Israel.
