The green pufferfish (genus Dichotomyctere) are the best known aquarium pufferfish. They are brackish water animals, which, in case they should be cared for in fresh water, paying special attention to their pH value. A pH below 8 does not get them in the long run and the water should be as hard as possible. The easiest way to care for them is in brackish water, 5-10 grams of sea salt/litre are enough.
Dichotomyctere species can sometimes become quarrelsome and then bite off the fins of other fish. One must therefore be a little careful when keeping them in a community tank. It is best to care for them in groups, 6-10 specimens are ideal.
The smallest Dichotomyctere species is D. ocellatus; it becomes only 8 cm long and is extremely pretty. Very early it was confused with the dragon pufferfish (Pao palembangensis) and therefore it can be found in the older literature under the name Tetraodon palembangensis. Of this the common name Palembang puffer remained, but it is also often called „Figure Eight Puffer“ due to the pattern on the back.
We currently have very nice specimens in different sizes in stock.
For our customers: the animals have code 262504 (4-5 cm) and 262505 (5-6 cm, these are the photographed specimens) on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
