Member-only story
The Amazing Art of the Pufferfish: How a Tiny Fish Creates a Masterpiece to Impress His Mate
Discover the amazing skills and secrets of the white spotted pufferfish, who makes stunning sand sculptures on the ocean floor
Have you ever wondered how some animals attract their mates? Some use colorful feathers, some use loud calls, some use elaborate dances, and some use… sand art? Yes, you read that right. There is a species of fish that creates stunning sand sculptures on the ocean floor to woo his potential partner. He is the white spotted pufferfish, and he is one of the most remarkable artists in the animal kingdom.
The white spotted pufferfish is a small fish that lives in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean, especially around Japan and Australia. He is about 12 cm long, and has a round body covered with white spots and spines. He is also known as the torafugu, or the tiger pufferfish, and he is a delicacy in Japanese cuisine. But what makes him truly unique is his ability to create intricate and symmetrical patterns on the sand, using nothing but his fins and his mouth.
