They might be considered a nuisance to most fishers, but blowfish – more commonly known as “blowies” – aid in our marine ecosystems and can be fatal for dogs if eaten and poison small children picked up and put in their mouths.
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- Blowfish play an important role in our marine ecosystems and should be returned quickly to the water once caught.
- If you see a dead blowfish on the shoreline or on the jetty, throw it in the bin so pets or small children don’t pick them up.
- Blowfish contain a toxin that causes paralysis or death in dogs if eaten when discarded on the shore.
That’s why if you happen to catch a blowfish, it is important to treat them like any other unwanted catch, and release them back into the water promptly.
We’ve all experienced the tell-tale tapping of these opportunistic feeders on the line, leading to a feeding frenzy that often causes amglers to abandon their spots after seeing their baits or soft plastics nipped away.
Extracting hooks from their small mouths and strong jaws can also be a pain, with these prickly and slimy fish making handling more difficult by inflating with water or air while hooks often bend or break during the process.
Despite their unpopular rep among many fishers, blowies serve a vital function as scavengers, aiding in the cleanliness of marine and estuarine habitats by consuming leftover scraps, burley, and bait – so they are better found in our waters than on our shorelines.
The risks associated with blowfish
Blowies contain tetrodotoxin, a potent toxin also found in blue-ringed octopus. While it’s safe to handle blowfish, consuming them can induce paralysis and can be fatal for dogs if these fish are left on shorelines.
Though fish like tuna, tailor, and mulloway can eat blowfish without adverse effects, our canine companions and children cannot.
Dogs can quickly consume a washed-up blowie before an owner notices. It’s therefore crucial to dispose of any blowfish found onshore in the bin to prevent pets from ingesting them and releasing them back into the water while they are still alive.
Should your dog consume a blowie, take it to the vet immediately to induce vomiting and minimise toxin absorption.
Tips to avoid blowfish while fishing
- Opt for larger hooks and minimal burley to reduce blowies’ chances of becoming hooked due to their small mouths. Using less burley will also help, as larger amounts attract more blowies.
- Regularly change fishing spots. Blowies often gather at popular areas like marinas and jetties due to the bait and scraps. If they are around in plague proportions, consider moving to a different location.
- Use lures over bait. Blowies are attracted to all kinds of bait, from worms and prawns to bread and meat. For example, if targeting herring, try using small lures instead.
- Dispose of unused bait properly. Instead of discarding leftover bait into the water, take it home or place it in a bin. Disposing of bait in the water attracts more blowies to that area.
