The silver pufferfish belongs to the family of pufferfish, which contain the deadly poison tetrodotoxin. Until recently, this fish was found only in the Indo-Pacific region, but it has now reached the Black Sea and is found off the coast of Ukraine.
In Japan, some types of pufferfish are eaten, but only after careful preparation. There, the fugu fish is a dangerous and very expensive delicacy. But now fugu is swimming not only in the Pacific Ocean, but also threatens Europe, including Ukraine. Focus has gathered everything that is known.
The State Ecological Inspectorate of the South-Western Region warned about the toxic newcomer in the Black Sea, the silver pufferfish, as early as 2025.
“It looks exotic, it has the ability to inflate like a ball, but that’s not the worst part. The silver pufferfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), or pufferfish, is a deadly poisonous invasive species that is already being recorded in the waters of the Black Sea,” the inspectorate said.
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This tropical predator previously lived only in the Indo-Pacific region, but thanks to the Suez Canal, it penetrated the Mediterranean, and then the Black Sea.
The first mentions of the pufferfish in the Black Sea near the Ukrainian coast appeared back in 2014.
Why is the silver pufferfish so dangerous – what is known about the fugu fish
This fish contains tetrodotoxin – a terrible poison that affects the nervous system. Even a tiny dose can cause death when consumed. There is no antidote.
Also, the silver pufferfish has extremely strong jaws, with which it crushes nets, catches, and even wood. It is a predator and feeds on mollusks, fish, and crustaceans, displacing local species.
As a result of its spread in the Mediterranean Sea, fishermen are suffering significant economic losses. For example, in Greece, people are now installing protective structures just to swim in the Euboean Gulf, which separates Evia from mainland Greece. The Greek Red Cross issued a warning to the public in June, advising citizens to seek emergency medical attention in case of a bite from this fish, as its “beak-like jaws” can cause serious wounds and heavy bleeding.
The first to report that the inedible pest had destroyed their catch and nets were fishermen in Cyprus. In 2024, Cypriot authorities introduced financial incentives to stop the spread of this species. As a result, more than 103 tons of this invasive species were caught from coastal waters. But in Greece, they are pessimistic.
Katerina Georgiou, an employee of the fishing administration of the island of Evia, explained the spread of this species by its “excellent adaptability” and noted that the appearance of the fugu fish in Europe is not a temporary phenomenon, but a new reality that cannot be ignored.
In Greece, fugu fish are caught and disposed of in tons, but it does not help Photo: Social networks
In Greece, fishermen are currently offered to catch fugu fish and hand them over for disposal for 5.33 euros per kilogram. Then the toxic predator is burned.
Fugu fish are also recorded in Turkey: there it bit off a child’s finger. And in Russia, 7,000 km from Ukraine. In Primorye, they complain that the toxic newcomer is massively washing ashore, damaging nets, and destroying local fauna.
Fugu fish is becoming an invasive species worldwide Photo: Social networks
Fugu fish in Russia Photo: Social networks
Regarding Ukraine, ecologists warn that due to climate warming, this species has the potential to expand its range in the Black Sea, which threatens biodiversity, small-scale fishing, and human health. And they warn that the appearance of fugu must be reported to the State Inspectorate.
Recall that in Brazil, a man died after preparing and eating fugu fish. He was in the hospital for almost a month, but doctors could not help him.
Meanwhile, the sunfish is actively spreading in the waters of Kyiv, which fishermen call “piranha perch.” Scientists warn that this invasive species eats the eggs and fry of other fish and can displace local species.