Pufferfish are most often thought to be brackish water fishes. But there do exist indeed species that are adopted to totally fresh water. Some of them even live in the very soft and acidic waters of the forests. Among the latter are the species of Carinotetraodon from Indonesia; we currently could import once more C. irrubesco from Sumatra.
This species of Carinotetraodon becomes about 5 cm long in males, females stay a bit smaller. Males can be recognized by the red caudal fin. All other colours can change very fast and are not of much use for determination.
In respect of behaviour, Carinotetraodon irrubesco can be best compared with a small cichlid of the more aggressive kind. Sometimes other fish are totally ignored, sometimes bitten. It is not possible to make any reliable prognoses. So these puffers are best kept by pair in a single species tank. Here they also often will spawn. The eggs are scattered freely in plants, this species does not take care for the brood.
For our customers: the fish have code 408153 on ur stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
