When Nature Smiles at You: Pufferfish in Turtle Bay

A curious Reticulated Burrfish appears to smile at the camera in Turtle Bay. | Photo: Leonardo Merçon/Instituto Últimos Refúgios

Floating above a rocky reef at Camburi Beach in Vitória feels like peeking into a parallel dimension.

 Sunlight dances through the water, casting shimmering beams while small schools of fish scatter and regroup like living clouds.

 Born and raised in Vitória, I always thought I needed to travel far to experience this kind of adventure.

That day, I was exploring Turtle Bay with my friend, oceanographer Paulo Rodrigues. Armed with a snorkel and a camera, we set out to capture images that would showcase the beauty and importance of this marine environment.

 This place has been special to me long before it became a protected area. My work in photography has always had a clear purpose: to inspire people to care about conservation.

 Since then, I have been documenting the local marine life, turning those stories into my book, Turtle Bay: Marine treasure in the Capital of Espírito Santo.

It was in this setting that I had an encounter I’ll never forget. Among the rocks, I spotted a pufferfish—but what truly surprised me was its behavior.

The Fish That’s Never in a Hurry

Unlike most fish that dart away at the first sign of a diver, this pufferfish stayed put, watching me with what seemed like curious eyes.

 I later learned that this behavior is common for its species. Unlike fish that rely on speed or camouflage to evade predators, the pufferfish has a unique defense strategy: inflating itself into a spiky ball, making it a difficult target to swallow.

I took advantage of this rare moment of closeness to photograph it. From the front, its mouth appeared to form a subtle smile—an almost comical detail of nature. For a few seconds, I had the strange but wonderful feeling that this little fish was giving back my conservation efforts with a symbolic gesture of its own.

Leonardo Merçon captures a rare moment as a Reticulated Burrfish remains still, watching him with curiosity. | Photo: Instituto Últimos Refúgios

Who is the Pufferfish of Turtle Bay?

The fish I encountered is known as the Reticulated Burrfish (Chilomycterus reticulatus). This species can grow up to 70 cm (27 inches) in length and is found in oceans worldwide, often near reefs and rocky bottoms. It feeds on crustaceans and mollusks, using its powerful beak-like mouth to crush shells.

In Turtle Bay, this burrfish is just one of many species that highlight the importance of marine conservation. It shares its home with sea turtles, vibrant reef fish, seahorses, and a rich diversity of marine life that deserves protection.

The diverse marine life of Turtle Bay, home to sea turtles, fish, and seahorses, showcases the importance of conservation. | Photo: Leonardo Merçon/Instituto Últimos Refúgios

The Power of Looking Nature in the Eye

The image of this pufferfish has become one of my favorites for environmental campaigns about marine ecosystems. 

Whenever I need to illustrate the idea that "nature smiles back," I turn to this photograph. I like to think that, in some way, the fish understood my intentions in that moment.

This encounter reinforced something I carry with me on every dive and photography expedition: conservation begins with wonder.

When someone feels connected to nature—whether through the curious gaze of a pufferfish or the vast blue of the ocean—they smile... and they feel the urge to protect it.

Have you ever felt nature smiling back at you?

Visit, comment, like, and share this story. Send the link to friends who will enjoy it! Your engagement is essential to keep the flame of conservation alive and show the world the importance of protecting our biodiversity.

See you on the next adventure! 🌎💙