What type of fish can be a dangerous sushi delicacy if it is not correctly prepared? Blowfish. Blowfish is a common name for pufferfish, especially species used in the Japanese dish fugu. Many pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, a potent nerve toxin concentrated particularly in organs such as the liver and ovaries and sometimes in the skin.
Tetrodotoxin blocks the normal transmission of nerve signals. Severe poisoning can cause numbness, paralysis, breathing failure, and death, while the victim may remain conscious. There is no widely available antidote, so treatment focuses on urgent medical support and assisted breathing.
In Japan, specially trained and licensed chefs prepare fugu by removing the poisonous organs and handling the fish carefully. The dish has a long culinary history and is served in forms including thinly sliced sashimi and hot pot. Some diners value a carefully controlled tingling sensation, although deliberate exposure to toxin is dangerous.
A common mix-up is the name: pufferfish, blowfish, and balloonfish are related common names, while fugu refers specifically to the Japanese preparation or dish. The safest rule is never to prepare wild pufferfish at home.