Blowfish (Pufferfish) in the Gulf of Mexico: Yes, Multiple Species

Yes. Several blowfish/pufferfish species (family Tetraodontidae) inhabit the Gulf of Mexico:

• Northern Puffer (Sphoeroides maculatus): Inshore, bays, seagrass; common.
• Southern Puffer (Sphoeroides nephelus): Similar range, more southern.
• Striped Burrfish (Chilomycterus schoepfii): Spiny boxfish relative; seagrass, reefs, jetties.
• Least Puffer (Sphoeroides parvus): Small, shallow estuaries.
• Checkered Puffer (Sphoeroides testudineus): Mangroves, seagrass (southern Gulf).

Ecology

• Habitat: Shallow to moderate depths (estuary to shelf).
• Diet: Mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms—crush shells with beak-like jaws.
• Defense: Inflate with water/air → spherical, spiny (burrfish) or smooth (puffers).
• Toxin: Tetrodotoxin (TTX) in organs/skin—potent neurotoxin; not injected.

Human Interaction

• Bycatch in shrimp trawls, crab traps.
• Occasional angling target (northern puffer = "sea squab," edible if cleaned properly).
• Aquarium trade (burrfish).