Breeding Green Pufferfish (Tetraodon Fluviatilis) In The Aquarium

Green Pufferfish, Green Spotted Pufferfish, Freshwater Pufferfish, Freshwater Green Pufferfish, Leopard Puffer, Leopard Pufferfish, Spotted Pufferfish

Occurrence

This species is brackish and in natural conditions, it inhabits slow-flowing streams, rivers, their estuaries in the vicinity of mangrove forests, lakes, and lagoons. They occur in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, and Burma. These fish are migratory during spawning within freshwater (up to 100 km).

External Appearance

The color of these fish largely depends on their natural habitat and is usually green-yellow, with a gray-white abdomen. On the back, there are black, quite large spots, which are randomly arranged. These spots can sometimes form something like thick stripes in the front part of the body. In the rear part, the spots are smaller, more round, and additionally surrounded by a yellow margin. The dorsal and anal fins are located near the tail fin. Lack of ventral fins. The fins are transparent in color. Lack of scales. The body is equipped with small spikes. This species is also known as a pufferfish due to its ability to "inflate" with air or water thanks to the elastic protrusion of the intestine. The fish behaves like this when it feels threatened. Then its size increases two or three times. Another distinguishing feature is the ability to move the eye sockets (eyes move independently of each other), thanks to which the fish "blinks" or completely closes its eyes. The fish also has 4 teeth - two each on the top and bottom - which are shaped like a beak. Such a structure makes it easier for them to crack the shells of invertebrates. The flesh and internal organs of pufferfish are poisonous - they contain deadly tetrodotoxin, which initially paralyzes the consumer's body and then leads to suffocation. This species is often confused with Tetraodon nigroviridis and Tetraodon schoutedeni. The first one is smaller, with smaller and symmetrically arranged black spots on the back. The second one is more brown, with brown spots and prominent spikes on its abdomen. There is no clear dimorphic feature between males and females for the described species.

Disposition

This is a moderately aggressive and territorial species - it likes to tease other fish and nibble their fins. It is especially intolerant of its own kind in too small and cramped aquariums, and with age. Therefore, avoid accompanying fish with elongated fins or slow-swimming ones. It should also not be kept with small fish, shrimps, crabs, mussels - they will be a snack for our fish (pufferfish are predators by nature). Pufferfish also naturally feed on snails, so they will be helpful in controlling the growing population of these crustaceans. It seems quite important to feed the pufferfish with whole crustaceans, including the shell - shells keep fish's teeth in good condition. The described species can be kept with other brackish fish like arguses, needlefish, herrings, or catfish from the genus Arius. However, never introduce new fish into an aquarium with an already adapted pufferfish that has reached sexual maturity. These fish stay mainly in the lower water sections. They are very intelligent and are not recommended for beginner aquarists. They can jump out of the tank.

Aquarium

This species can be kept in an aquarium with fresh, brackish, or even salty water. It all depends on the water our fish was in before we bought it. Therefore, you should definitely ask about the salinity of the water when buying and create identical conditions for our pet. There is a belief that in salted water (to any extent), these fish are more durable and less susceptible to disease. However, these are only speculations. The aquarium should be equipped with a soft substrate (preferably sand), tangled roots, stones, plants (e.g., Java moss, anubias), shelters, space for free swimming, scattered and not very intense light. This fish is very sensitive to water quality, especially ammonia and nitrites, while it itself produces a lot of waste - necessary regular water changes and effective filtration.

Reproduction

An egg-laying fish. Couples for spawning are spontaneously selected from a larger school. The female lays eggs (about 200 eggs) in shallow water, on a flat and hard surface. After fertilizing the eggs, the male takes care of them. The larvae hatch after about a week, after which they are carried by the male to a previously dug hole in the substrate. The young fish swim freely in search of food after another 3 days. The young fish swim in a shoal.