Spotted PufferGreen

Spotted PufferTetraodon palenbangensis

Green PufferTetraodon fluviatilisTetraodon nigroviridisLeopard Puffer

Until recently known as the Tetraodon fluviatilis, the spotted puffer is one of the more commonly found puffers in your LFS - along with the Figure Eight - and therefore for most people will be their first encounter with puffer fish. Unfortunately it is not the most suitable fish for a beginner as they require brackish conditions and are fin nippers and can be killers.Often described as cute, the Spotted Puffer's body conform to the standard puffer shape with a white underbelly and yellow/green top covered in black spots, this top colouring ranging from dark green to fluorescent green to yellow. Their eyes are an almost metallic blue and appear to reflect light. When sold these fish will normally be about 2.5cm to 5cm long and can be expected to reach about 10cm in the aquarium.These fish can be kept in small groups but may do better individually as they can be aggressive and are territorial. Few other fish can be kept with them due to this temperament. If you want to keep fish with them try to avoid ones with long fins and pick faster moving fish which the puffer may not wish to chase. For a more complete list see the Mates for Puffers section.These fish originate in South East Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Borneo) where they are usually can be found in slow-moving rivers, estuaries and the upper reaches of backwaters. In the wild they prefer shady, marginal areas.

Living Conditions

Spotted puffers require brackish water, although they can be kept in freshwater as juveniles.Spotted puffers enjoy a tank with crevices and caves. Try using bogwood and rock to create this effect and you will have a happy fish who will spend most of the day searching around the tank. Plants can also be added although these are not essential and may be hard to grow in brackish conditions
TemperaturepHHardness 24C to 28C 7.5 to 8.5 to 20dH
Average Size in Aquarium 10cm
Average Size in Wild 17cm
Temperament Mildly aggressive to aggressive. Habits include fin nipping, harrasing other fish and in some cases aggression towards other fish.

Diet

Should be fed live and frozen foods as they will not eat flake. Suggested diet includes brine shrimp, blood worms and shellfish (for example cockle). Shellfish are an important part of their diet as this is what they naturally eat.

Breeding

Spawning takes place after a period of courtship near the bottom. The pale, glassy eggs are laid close to one another on a rock. They are tended by the male, and usually hatch in six or seven days. The male takes the fry, which resemble tiny tadpoles, to a small pit on the bottom where he continues to guard them.