The Perils of the Puffer

I mentioned  on my birthday (Feb. 27th) that there were a LOT of dead fish at the seashore. Today, there were many more, 

Something called red tide is the fish killer. It is a microscopic algae that produces toxins, and it also makes humans cough.

The toxins were the death of several kinds of fish, including the puffer, some sheepheads, some mackerel, and even a very small shark.

Since there were no birds in the area (also red tide?), dead fish is what you get. The very sharp spikes on its back sure must keep predators away.