The Talented Mister Puffer Fish

If you’re like us, our knowledge of the puffer fish was limited to the little guy’s ability to puff up when scared and according to an episode from The Simpsons, certain parts of the fish are highly poisonous. Add to this list the amazing ability of the males of the species to build phenomenal geometric sand sculptures on the ocean floor likened to concentric crop circles. The meticulously constructed 6.5 ft diameter was discovered roughly 80 ft below sea level off the coast of Amami Oshima in Japan by Yoji Ookata. The underwater photographer has never seen anything like it and referred to it as a “mystery circle” before enlisting the help of some colleagues at NHK to capture who is behind the intricately built structure. In an episode called “The Discovery of a Century: Deep Sea Mystery Circle” aired by BBC One, the mystery was unearthed as the video shows a tireless male puffer fish building the perfectly symmetrical sand nest in an effort to attract passing females. The little architect even has a penchant for interior decorating as he takes a shell and places it on one of the ridges of his grand design.