Histoire Naturelle - Fish - Plate 1 - Tetrodon ~ An ancient carving of the Nile puffer was found on an Egyptian tomb dating more than 2000 years BC. The Nile puffer is capable of inflating its belly with water or air. This transformation makes the fish hard to swallow, especially if it puffs up when inside a predator's mouth. The species at the top is Tetraodon lineatus, the common Nile puffer fish, known to the Egyptians as 'Shpet'. The one on the bottom is known today as Arothron hispidus, a common salt water fish of the Red Sea.

Framed 35 1/2 inches x 28 inches ~ SOLD