Strict Freshwater Species
Dwarf puffers (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) — 1 inch, peaceful for puffers.
Red-Eyed (Carinotetraodon irrubesco) — 1.5 inches, similar care.
Brackish Species
Figure 8 puffer (Tetraodon biocellatus) — 3 inches, brackish water (1.005-1.015 SG).
Green-spotted puffer (Tetraodon nigroviridis) — starts brackish, prefers full marine as adult.
Diet
Puffers MUST eat hard-shelled foods to wear down their constantly-growing teeth.
Snails, frozen krill with shell, mussel pieces in shell.
Without hard foods, teeth overgrow and fish cannot eat.
Behavior
Highly intelligent — recognize keepers, beg for food, learn routines.
Most species solitary or violently aggressive to other puffers.
Some "community" potential with fast swift fish (some danio species).
- ✦Buy from reputable supplier — wild-caught puffers often arrive sick
- ✦Tooth trimming may be needed if teeth overgrow despite hard food diet
- ✦Most puffers prefer warm water 78-82°F