Random Most Poisonous Creatures In Sea (21 items)

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  (#8) Smooth toadfish

  • Tetractenos glaber

  The toadfish are another group of animals that are closely related to puffers, and they too are incredibly dangerous. Unlike other members of tetraodontidae, smooth toadfish lack the spines that can be found covering most pufferfish skin. The spines in a smooth toadfish are embedded in the skin, creating the smooth appearance from which the fish gets its name.

  That doesn't mean they aren't deadly, as they are full of toxins and should never be eaten. 
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  (#7) Striped Pyjama Squid

  • Sepioloidea lineolata

  There are not many poisonous cephalopods, but the striped pyjama squid is an exception to that rule. Its striped skin is believed to be a warning that these guys are not safe to eat. The have specialized glands on their bellies that secret a toxic slime if they are assaulted by a predator, rendering them unpalatable.

  These squid-like creatures are actually a species of cuttlefish and not true squids.
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  (#14) Smooth trunkfish

  • Lactophrys triqueter

  Trunkfish are closely related to boxfish and puffers, and these beautiful sea creatures are just as poisonous as their cousins. When threatened, these toxic fish secrete a lethal ichthyocrinotoxin from their skin that is released into the surrounding water. In tanks, trunkfish can easily kill themselves and other fish by releasing the toxin when stressed.

  They are fairly slow swimmers, so trunkfish have to rely on their hardy scales and poisonous skin to deter predators. Even though they are toxic, they are eaten by humans in some countries. 
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  (#21) Ocean sunfish

  • Mola mola

  The ocean sunfish, also known as the mola mola, is a massive, clumsy fish. They are the heaviest bony fish in the world and some can weigh as much as 5,000 pounds. While they may be huge, their ridiculous body shape makes them completely harmless to pretty much everything but jellyfish.

  Recent studies have shown trace amounts of toxic buildup in the livers of these animals, which could act as a poison to deter predators. 
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  (#9) Yellow boxfish

  • Ostracion cubicus

  These cube-shaped fish are much tougher than they look. The yellow boxfish has armor plated skin and releases a powerful toxin when under duress. The toxin is known as ostracitoxin, and it's powerful enough to clear out a populated fish tank. It can even fall prey to its own toxin, which just goes to show how powerful it is.

  Not surprisingly, this poisonous fish can be found off the coasts of Australia. 
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  (#5) Nudibranch

  • Nudibranchia

  Nudibranchs are some of the most beautifully bizarre animals in the ocean. There are roughly 2,000 different species, all of which have their own color scheme. Often referred to as sea slugs, these flashy critters can pack a powerful punch when threatened.

  Nudibranchs absorb toxins from the food they eat and store them inside their bodies, making them poisonous to most predators. Scientists aren't completely sure how the nudibranchs survive after ingesting so many toxins, but the amazing skill has proven to be an effective defense mechanism.

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