Spotted Green Puffer | Tetraodon nigroviridis




Others / Tetraodontidae / Spotted Green Pufferfish

Profile: Green Pufferfish, Spotted Green Puffer, Spotted River Puffer, Round Spotted Puffer
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 and can live up to 10 years in captivity.
Difficulty of care: 6.  This aggressive brackishwater species requires live foods.