Identifying Pufferfish and Related Species in Taiwan

Seeing a pufferfish is a special moment, but, was it really a puffer fish that you saw during your last dive?  We’ll take a look at some of the common Tetraodontiformes spotted while scuba diving in Taiwan and hopefully, afterwards, you will be able to answer the question: Was that a pufferfish, porcupinefish, or a boxfish?

To begin, the Order of Tetraodontiformes includes many types of fish, like pufferfish, boxfish, and porcupinefish as well as triggerfish, filefish, and the ocean sunfish.  The name of the order comes from the fused teeth found in its members, with most having 4 (tetra) teeth (odon/odous).  The teeth form a hard beak which lets them break through mollusk shells easily.  The majority of the order is found in tropical salt water near reefs.  Some pufferfish, however, can be found in brackish or fresh water and the ocean sunfish is found in open water.

One pufferfish that is commonly seen in Taiwan is the Valentini Pufferfish, sometimes called the saddleback puffer.  Another is the Giant Pufferfish.   The distinguishing traits of a pufferfish are the four teeth in the beak, as well as skin that seems smooth (most puffers have small spines but they only appear when it puffs up).   The pufferfish puff up by quickly sucking water (or air if near the surface) into a chamber near the stomach and some can triple in size once inflated.  They will do this as a last resort when threatened or stressed.

Porcupinefish, very common in Taiwan, are very similar to pufferfish.  They are also able to puff up their bodies by sucking water or air into a chamber near their stomach when threatened or stressed.  However, they are covered in spines which are visible even before puffing up and provide additional protection.  Another difference is their teeth; Porcupinefish have a beak consisting of 2 teeth, instead of 4.

Boxfish are also commonly found in Taiwan.  The Yellow Boxfish is very common in reefs around Taiwan.  Another is the Longhorn Boxfish.  Boxfish, unlike puffers and porcupinefish, aren’t able to puff up their bodies when threatened.  The defining characteristic of a Boxfish is, as the name suggests, its shape.  Their bodies have a very distinct, square shape with the front and back tapering quickly to the head and tail respectively.

Another defense mechanism employed by all three types of fish is toxins.  Most Pufferfish and Porcupinefish produce tetrodotoxin, which is found in some of their organs.  It is extremely dangerous and is considered one of the most deadly toxins produced by vertebrates.  Boxfish, on the other hand, are able to release a toxin through their skin when threatened which may harm or even kill any fish in the water near them.  They are brightly colored as a way of warning predators.

So, which one did you see?  Did it have the 4 teeth and smooth skin of a Pufferfish?  Or did it have the visible spines and 2 teeth of a Porcupinefish?  Or was it the brightly colored Boxfish?   Next time you are out diving, use this guide to help you decide!

To learn more about Scuba Diving trips or take courses, you can find us at 

www.fundiverstw.com 

Happy Bubbles!

Friendly Note:  If you see Divers try to get a Pufferfish to puff up, let them know it's not okay.  While it may be cool to see, harassing marine life while diving is frowned upon.  Be an ambassador and set a good example.

Exploring Moray Eels: Fascinating Facts and Habits

 Moray eels are a type of fish belonging to the family Muraenidae. They are found in tropical and subtropical marine waters, mostly around the equator, living in coral reefs and rocky shorelines.
There are about 200 species in 15 genera. 

Moray eels are known for their long, snake-like bodies. They can range in size from just a few inches to over 3 meters long. Their smooth, thick, scaleless skin secretes protective mucous, some containing a toxin. Their large mouth with sharp teeth is used to tear flesh or grab slippery prey. A second set of jaws in their throat can launch forward to grasp prey to transport it into their throat. They are the only known species to have this pharyngeal jaw. They have relatively small eyes, but have excellent eyesight. They rely on their keen sense of smell, which helps them to ambush their prey. Reef-associated roving coral groupers have been observed recruiting giant morays to help them hunt. This style of hunting may allow morays to flush prey out from niches not accessible to groupers. 

Moray eels are carnivorous and feed on a variety of prey, including fish, crabs, squid, and octopus. Groupers, barracudas, and sea snakes are among a few of their known predators. They are also known to scavenge for food and will sometimes eat dead animals they come across. 

Despite their fearsome appearance, moray eels are generally not aggressive towards humans, unless provoked. However, they have been known to bite when threatened. Their bites can be quite painful due to the size of their teeth and the bacteria they carry in their mouths. 

Moray eels are fascinating and important creatures in the ocean ecosystem. They play an important role in controlling the populations of other marine organisms.

Spotting Greater Amberjacks in Taiwan (杜氏鰤)

As you are gliding through the water, enjoying your dive, a glimmer of light catches your attention.  Curious, you move ahead to investigate, when suddenly, a large stream of silver torpedoes dart past you continuously.  After a few moments, they swim by again, and you get a closer look.  You notice the amber colored horizontal stripe along the center of its body; which connects the mouth, eye, and fin.  Their size and speed is astonishing and it gets your heart pumping as you realize you have spotted an “Amberjack”!

The name jack fish includes numerous species around the world but the type most commonly spotted by scuba divers in the waters around Taiwan is the Greater Amberjack.  The Greater Amberjack averages from 7 to 15 kg but fishermen have caught some as large as 70 kg.  They are commonly found between 20 and 70 meters deep in rocky areas or near wrecks and other underwater structures but also venture closer to shore to hunt.

Amberjacks are predators so they are built for speed, which is apparent from their shape.  Their size and strength also makes them a prized gamefish for anglers since they put up a big fight and are challenging to reel in.  Unfortunately, because of their fleshy meat, they are also a popular fish for sushi and are commonly found in restaurants worldwide.

Your best chance to see Amberjacks is from winter into late spring when they spend more time closer to shore for mating.  They head into deeper waters after May, but can be spotted occasionally year round if you’re lucky.  They seem fearless, and almost playful when in the vicinity of divers and can often be seen swimming several laps around Divers and their bubble columns. Make sure to take the opportunity and marvel in this exquisite sight before they depart for another year!

For more info about these excursions, you can go to  email us at  

www.fundiverstw.com

Happy Bubbles!

Kickstart Your 2025 Diving Season with Fun Divers Taiwan

 

With 2024 coming to an end, the anticipation is mounting for the upcoming year. Everyone is thinking of when and where they can get their first dives in 2025.  Nights are filled with dreams of doing your final checks, putting on the mask and strapping on the fins, ready to do the giant stride and take your first breaths in the depths of the sea once again.

 

We have a big year planned with trips scheduled to a variety of destinations, domestic and international. Try some Fun new Dive locations or take that next course to advance your skills and knowledge.  We offer bi-weekly boat dives and shore dives at a variety of dive sites in the northeast coast. Scuba diving in Taiwan is better than most would anticipate and continually getting more convenient as the years go by. If you want to experience what Taiwan has to offer, you can come to our website to lock in your next dive trip.

We will start the 2025 Scuba Diving season with a SPLASH!  The first trip planned will be to Palau for 15 dives. It'll be for 7 days, 6 nights at one of the world's top dive destinations. Explore lush coral reefs, drop-off walls, sunken wrecks, the Blue Hole, and Blue Corner. Have the chance to swim among sharks, manta rays, napoleon wrasse, schools of barracudas, snappers, trevally, and much more! Book now to secure your spot on this amazing trip!

Next will be a trip to Coron, Philippines to visit a variety of Imperial Japanese Navy Wrecks from World War II. Coron is located in the northern part of the Province of Palawan. This is where a majority of the shipwrecks were located when the US Navy sabotaged the Japanese fleet in 1944.  These wrecks have now become covered in coral reef and became a top notch dive destination for shipwrecks. Many of the wrecks are deeper than 18m, therefore, it is highly recommended to have or take the PADI Advanced Open Water and Deep Specialty courses, in order to be able to reach the depths necessary to see these amazing wrecks. Besides the wrecks, Coron is also well known for its crystal clear water, white sand beaches, and limestone cliffs.

In Taiwan, we plan boat dive trips to Turtle Island's rare underwater hot springs. With geysers spewing out hot bubbles from the ocean bed, and the sulphur covered water, it's a unique sight that's unique for any diver! The first Taiwanese Navy wrecks to be intentionally decommissioned and intentionally sunk was the Wan An Jian Wreck on the coast of Yilan County. Covered in whip coral and countless fish, this wreck is a sure crowd pleaser. The 1km long water outlet to the Longmen Power Plant in Fulong was fully built, but never turned on has now become a dive site they call, "The Cathdral" or "Sanctum". Here you'll enter a large 12m wide chamber that's houses soft coral, whip corals, and often lobsters. Surrounding the chamber are schools of batfish, porcupine puffers, axfish, and glassfish. These are a few of the many diverse kinds of diving that can be enjoyed just in the vicinity of New Taipei City.

Hopefully, you are as excited as we are for this upcoming season! Looking forward to making bubbles and new dive companions! The exhilaration of tracking down those amberjacks, octopi, peacock mantis shrimp, and flamboyant cuttlefish, of course, while practicing proper trim and buoyancy!

If it's been awhile and haven't dived in some time, have no fear, we can give you a refresher with our enhanced course. All of our courses are offered in English and Chinese. 

For more information about courses and trips, check out the events on our website 

www.fundiverstw.com 

Happy Bubbles!