A potentially deadly fish has been caught in the Barnegat Bay and elsewhere in New Jersey this summer.

Believed to be a smooth puffer fish or Lagocephalus laevigatus, it contains toxins up to 1200 times more lethal than cyanide, according to APP.com and government officials.

While they can be found between New England and the Bahamas, the Lagocephalus laevigatus were thought to prefer southern waters.

The fish, which contains tetrodotoxin and/or saxitoxin, is found in the Atlantic Ocean as well as in bays and river. Among the possible consequences of eating it are tingling, weakness, loss of balance, vomiting, diarrhea and paralysis, the report said.

There are no known antidotes for either toxin, according to a Food and Drug Administration Warning.

The worst-case scenario is death as a result of respiratory paralysis.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.