I believe that there are more freshwater puffers out there than people know as they only come across one or 2 in the shops as mainly brackish puffers are on offer.
A note on all puffers: -
- Puffers are fussy eaters so be prepared to spend a time getting through different foods until you find what they like.
- Their diet MUST include snails or shelled animals to keep their teeth down - a puffers teeth can grow too long from which they die as they are no longer able to eat. If their teeth still grow too long then you have to be prepared to trim their teeth every 4-6 months which is quite a scary experience for beginning puffer keepers... especially the Colomesus asellus & Auriglobus modestus have very fast growing teeth - Puffer Dentistry
- All puffers are sensitive to nitrites and ammonia and should only be introduced into a fully cycled aquarium
- Due to their messy eating habits, over filteration is highly recommended
- These are highly active and intelligent fish. They enjoy a planted tank to explore and engage in - they need some interaction or will become very bored.
- Puffers should only be kept in a species tank. They cannot be trusted in a community tank because they may nip fins and/or attack other fish.
- Don't ever make your puffer puff in fright as it can kill them.
So if you have not been put off by the above or think you can give this kind of care ... let's get on to the puffers ;) The listed tank sizes are PER PUFFER ;)
Auriglobus modestus
Common Names: Bronze Puffer, Golden Puffer, Avocado Puffer
PH 6.0-7.8
Temp: 74-80F (23-26C)
Growth Size: 4 inches (10.6cm)
Lifespan: 10 Years
Attitude: Aggressive
Tank Minimum: 15 US Gallons
Notes: very fast growing teeth so needs daily shellfood or snails
Carinotetraodon irrubesco
Common Names: Red-tailed Red Eye Puffer
PH 6.3-8.0
Temp: 72-84F (22-28C)
Growth Size: 2 inches (4.4cm)
Lifespan: 5 Years
Attitude: One of the most peaceful ones but can still nip
Tank Minimum: 10 gallons (US)
Carinotetraodon lorteti
Common Names: Red Eye Puffer
PH 6.3-8.0
Temp: 72-84F (22-28C)
Growth Size: 2.4 inches (6cm)
Lifespan: 5 Years
Attitude: Aggressive little guy
Tank Minimum: 10 gallons (US)
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Common Names: Pea Puffer, Pygmy Puffer, Dwarf Puffer
PH 7.5-8.3
Temp: 72-84F (22-28C)
Growth Size: 1.5 inches (3.8cm)
Lifespan: 5 Years
Attitude: When Young mild but as adults very aggressive
Tank Minimum: 5 Gallons(US)
More info: Dwarf Puffers
Colomesus asellus
Common Names: Amazon Puffer, Brazilian Puffer, SA Puffer
PH 6.0-7.8
Temp: 74-80F (23-26C)
Growth Size: 3 inches (7.6cm)
Lifespan: 10 Years
Attitude: One of the most peaceful
Tank Minimum: 20 Gallons(US)
Notes: Teeth grow very fast so snails are needed daily or shell food.
Tetraodon cochinchinensis
Common Names: Fang's Puffer, Red Spot Puffer
PH 6.0-7.8
Temp: 74-80F (23-26C)
Growth Size: 3 inches (7.6cm)
Lifespan: 10 Years
Attitude: Very aggressive will not tolerate other fish or puffers
Tank Minimum: 10 Gallons(US)
Tetraodon leiurus
PH 6.6-8.0
Temp: 72-84F (22-28C)
Growth Size: 6 inches (16cm)
Lifespan: 5 Years
Attitude: Aggressive
Tank Minimum: 30 Gallons (US)
Tetraodon lineatus
PH 6.8-7.8
Temp: 76-82F (24-28C)
Growth Size: 18 inches (45cm)
Lifespan: 10 Years
Attitude: Extremely Aggressive - will kill anything in the tank
Tank Minimum: 120 Gallons (US)
Tetraodon miurus
PH 6.8-7.6
Temp: 76-84F (24-28C)
Growth Size: 6 inches (15.2cm)
Lifespan: 5 Years
Attitude: Aggressive
Tank Minimum: 30 Gallons (US)
Tetraodon palembangensis
PH 6.8-7.6
Temp: 76-84F (24-28C)
Growth Size: 8 inches (20cm)
Lifespan: 10 Years
Attitude: Aggressive
Tank Minimum: 30 Gallons (US)
Tetraodon suvattii
PH 6.8-7.6
Temp: 76-84F (24-28C)
Growth Size: 8 inches (20cm)
Lifespan: 10 Years
Attitude: Aggressive
Tank Minimum: 30 Gallons (US)
Tetraodon turgidus
Common Names: Common Puffer
PH 6.8-7.6
Temp: 74-80F (23-26C)
Growth Size: 6 inches (15cm)
Lifespan: 10 Years
Attitude: Aggressive will not tolerate tank mates
Tank Minimum: 20 Gallons (US)
There is also the Mbu Puffer but seeing it grows to 30 inches (76cm) not very suitable for an aquarium.
And to finish off a controversial one... the long lasting argument on whether it is a brackish or freshwater puffer will never end... I know people who keep them in both and breed them also in both. Fishbase.org has them listed as freshwater so I am adding them here:
Tetraodon biocellatus
Common Names: Figure Eight Puffer
PH 7.8-8.2
Temp: 74-80F (23-26C)
Growth Size: 6 inches (15cm)
Lifespan: 15 Years
Attitude: Can be a fin nipper or fine
Tank Minimum: 15 Gallons (US)
Thanks to Ingo Seidel & Pufferlist x
2 comments:
you have great fisshes here.
Love it!
still here they are not so common.
Do you have copy writer for so good articles? If so please give me contacts, because this really rocks! :)
Post a Comment