Aquarium fishes: Puffer fishes

Fahaka pufferfish (Tetraodon lineatus)

April 28, 2021July 24, 2015 by Sergey

The fahaka puffer (from Arabic: فهقة) is also known as the Nile puffer, lineatus puffer (lat. Tetraodon lineatus). Tetraodon lineatus is a large puffer that can’t be seen in aquarist tanks quite often.

This is a freshwater fish which in the wild inhabits in the Nile river and also it’s known as Nile puffer.

All tetraodon fishes have strong teeth and puffer uses them to tear the pieces from its tank mate bodies. This tetraodon is a predator, in the wild it feeds on all types of snails, spineless and insects.

Green spotted puffer (Tetraodon nigroviridis)

April 28, 2021July 9, 2015 by Sergey

Green spotted puffer or leopard puffer fish (Dichotomyctere nigroviridis, Tetraodon nigroviridis) is a unique fish. Its back has saturated green color that contrasts beautifully against its white abdomen.

The uncommon body shape and its pugdog-like face, protuberant eyes and little mouth add even more unusualness to the fish appearance. Green spotted puffer behavior is also quite far from the one peculiar to other fishes – it’s a very playful, active and curious fish.

You may also say that the fish has a personality – it recognizes its owner and becomes very active when it sees him.

Pea puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus)

April 28, 2021June 29, 2015 by Sergey

Pea puffer or dwarf puffer (lat. Carinotetraodon travancoricus) is the smallest fish of Tetraodon family you may encounter on sale. The fish comes from India and unlike the other species, it inhabits only in freshwater. Is very small and quite often it’s sold in its max size – about 1 in (2.5 cm) long.

It’s one of few fishes which observe with interest what is happening behind the tank glass and starts to recognize its owner. Is a very clever fish and its behavior often reminds other intelligent fishes – cichlids.

Once you enter the room, the fishes start swimming near the tank glass trying to attract your attention. Of course, they’d like to ask for some feed, but it’s always nice to see such a reaction from the fish.