![]() ![]() Puffer fish should not be touched with bare hands. ![]() This toxin is so potent that small amounts can impact the central nervous system and prove fatal. Most puffer fish species produce a toxin called tetrodotoxin using bacteria in their environment as part of their self-defense mechanism. Are freshwater puffer fish poisonous to touch? If in doubt, go with the larger size aquarium. These species need plenty of swimming space, and many need plants and other decorations to provide a stimulating environment. Do not be fooled into thinking the tiny fish you pick up from the breeder will stay that small. In any case, research the breed and their projected adult size. Others, such as the MBU puffer, need a 500-gallon (1893 l) tank as the bare minimum, with 700 to 1,000 gallons (2650-3785 l) being better for the overall health of the fish. On one end of the spectrum, you have the tiny dwarf species, some of which do fine in a 10-gallon (38 l) tank for a single fish. Tank sizes for these fish can vary widely. What size tank do you need for a puffer fish? It is best to keep them in separate tanks. In addition, the puffer may nip at a smaller goldfish’s fins.Ī larger goldfish may attempt to eat the puffer, which could result in injury to the goldfish. Goldfish and puffers have different water temperature needs. Can freshwater puffer fish live with goldfish? Guppies have two traits that make them irresistible targets for your puffer fish: they are slower swimming and they have long-flowing fins. Some puffers are best suited in a tank on their own and cannot even tolerate another of their own species, while others can be paired with their own kind or fast-swimming species. The short answer is that puffers are predators and naturally tend toward territorial and aggressive behaviors. Rare Congo spotted puffer ( Tetraodon schoutedeni) Can freshwater puffer fish live with other fish? The following are some questions you may have regarding puffer fish. Make sure that hard-shelled foods are small enough for this fish to consume so that they grind down their teeth adequately. These nocturnal hunters need live prey, although they will accept frozen meaty foods. The males are a green/brown color with thick, wavy lines, while the females are brown with thin waves. These fish grow to about two inches (5 cm) in length.Īnother sexually dimorphic species, both have mottled coloration and startling red eyes. Plan on a small tank with a single fish of its species. ![]() They are very aggressive fish, both toward any potential tank mates and toward their own kind.Įven males and females of the species are difficult to keep together. Popular Freshwater and Brackish Puffersīelow, we introduce 12 fresh and brackish water species to consider.Īnother dwarf puffer species, the red-eyed puffer is also not common in the aquarium trade. Keep in mind that the minimum tank sizes listed in this article are for a single puffer. Overstocking leads to aggression and some species are best housed alone. These fish need room to swim and a large tank for their size. Puffers’ predatory nature makes them prone to territorial and aggressive behavior. They require a regular diet of live and hard-shelled foods to keep their always-growing teeth worn down to a healthy level. These fish are sensitive to shifts in water quality, particularly nitrates and ammonia, and their messy eating requires robust filtration of aquarium water. In an aquarium, they are handy at controlling pest snail species.Īs amazing as they are, puffers have some unique care requirements that make them best suited for those with some aquarium-keeping experience. Some are omnivorous, but they are mostly meat-eating predators that catch their prey using open water, stealth, and ambush techniques. They range in size from as small as one inch 9 (2.5 cm) to over 2.5 feet (76 cm). While most are marine inhabitants, there are also freshwater and brackish water species. Worldwide, there are more than 120 species of puffers. Beloved for their expressive faces and playful interactions, puffer fish are eye-catching additions to home aquariums.
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