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An invasive pufferfish (a Lessepsian migrant that spread from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal) now very common along Egypt's Mediterranean and North Coast, with a silvery belly and cheeks and a dark-spotted back. ⚠️ DEADLY TOXIC: its flesh and organs contain tetrodotoxin — it must NEVER be eaten and there is no safe way to prepare it. Handle with care: it has a powerful beak-like set of fused teeth that bites through hooks, lines and fingers. Usually caught accidentally; unhook it carefully or cut the line, and do not keep it.
Sandy and seagrass bottoms, coastal Mediterranean and Red Sea
Caught year-round on coastal sandy/seagrass ground, often accidentally while or ; more active in the warm months
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Medium outfit with a and a strong, sharp hook.
A fresh squid fished on the is the reliable choice.
Eating & safety
Best conditions: Caught year-round on coastal sandy/seagrass ground, often accidentally while bottom fishing or spinning; more active in the warm months
One of the most toxic fish in the Mediterranean — its spread from the Red Sea has hit local fisheries hard, shredding nets and lines with its beak. Several regions now run bounty programmes to remove it.