Green Pufferfish, Spotted Green Puffer, Spotted River Puffer, Round Spotted Puffer [Pictures]
Tetraodon nigroviridis Synonyms: Arothron
dorsovittatus, A. simulans, Carinotetraodon fluviatilis, Crayracion fluviatilis, Dichotomycter fluviatilis, Tetraodon
fluviatilis, Tetrodon fluviatilis, T. nigroviridis, T. simulans Physical description: A stocky fish with a broad forehead and protruding eyes.
The dorsal and anal fins are rounded
and located opposite each other.
The tail is fan-shaped. The skin is leathery and covered with small spines.
When
inflated these spines stick out; rendering the fish un-swallowable.
The colors vary based on the age and
the habitat of the specimen.
The belly is white in color while the upperparts are yellow to green.
The upperparts are spotted with black
to brown spots.
These spots have a small yellow ring surrounding each one. The fins are yellow but transparent.
The
iris ranges from yellow to blue in color.
Size/Length: To 8" (20 cm)
Similar species: Other Tetraodon
species.
Habitat: In coastal fresh and brackish waters in Asia and Southeast Asia; India, Sri Lanka,
Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
S: All
Aquarium: A 32" (80 cm) or 30 gallon (114 L)
tank is sufficient.
Follow suggestions for
T. biocellus. Water chemistry: pH 7.0-8.2 (7.4), 10-20 dH (12), 75-84°F (24-29°C).
A 1-2% addition of salt is suggested.
Add
7.5-15 TSP. of salt to every 10 gallons (10-20 g/10 L).
Social behavior: Young individuals are usually peaceful.
Older specimens are territorial and
aggressive.
All ages are aggressive towards their own, and similar species.
Best kept alone, but can be combined
in a community tank, with hardy, brackish fish of similar sizes.
This Puffer will attack plants and may nip the
fins of other fish.
Males may fight to the death, so monitor fights closely.
Suggested companions: Arius,
Monodactylus, Scatophagus, Toxotes, Datnioides FOOD: Live; snails,
Tubifex, crustaceans, insect larvae, earthworms;
occasionally tablets
SEX: Unknown
Breeding techniques: Difficult, has only been accomplished in brackish water. Spawning takes place after
courtship near the bottom.
The pale, clear eggs are laid on rocks or on the substrate.
The male guards these.
The fry hatch in 6-7 days and are taken
to a small pit on the bottom, where the male continues to guard them.
The fry do not take most foods and are
consequently very difficult to raise. Suggest newly hatched brine shrimp,
Cyclops nauplii, or mosquito larvae.
Breeding potential: 9.
Breeding is very difficult and is unusual.
REMARKS: Does best in brackish water, but will die in salt water.
Can live up to 10 years in captivity.
Difficulty of care: 6.
This aggressive brackishwater species requires live foods.
The copy for fish.mongabay.com was written in 1994-1995. Therefore some information such as scientific names may be out of date. For this, I apologize. Feel free to send corrections to me.
