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Freshwater   Fishes

Green spotted puffer
(Tetraodon nigroviridis)

Green spotted puffer

Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

Names

Scientific name
Tetraodon nigroviridis
Dichotomyctere nigroviridis

Common name
Green spotted puffer

Origin

what are its countries of origin?

Origin: Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh
Biotope: Asian

Dimorphism

what are the physical differences between males and females?

None

Group

Group

Tetraodontidae

Volume

what is the minimum volume for this species?

200 L / 44 Imp Gal / 53 US Gal

Parameters

what are the water parameters for the maintenance of this fish?

T°: 24 to 28°C or 75 to 82°F
pH: 7 to 8.2
Hardness: 10 to 20°dGH

Difficulty

Difficulty

Hard

Size

what is the maximum size of this fish?

10cm (4")

Longevity

what is the average Longevity of this fish?

2 to 8 years

Living zone

in which area of the aquarium does this fish live?

Middle and depth

Individuals

sociability of the species

3

Food

How to feed the Green spotted puffer?

Food

How to feed the Green spotted puffer?

A molluscivorous type of fish that loves crustaceans, snails, shrimps, crab legs or krills, which will make up the bulk of its diet.

It also accepts frozen food (mud worms) as well as live prey. Finally, he can accept dry flakes if he has been used to them from a young age.

It can sometimes feed on detritus and exceptionally on the scales and fins of other fish.

"Hard" foods allow them to sharpen their teeth. It is therefore very important to offer shellfish or snails regularly. If its teeth become too long, they will prevent it from feeding.

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Green spotted puffer have?

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Green spotted puffer have?

The Tetraodon Nigroviridis shows a lively and rather aggressive behaviour. It lives at mid depth and at the bottom of the aquarium.

The Green spotted puffer is not really territorial. However, it can be aggressive towards its congeners but also towards other fish. Offer him an aquarium that suits him and plenty of room to limit the risk of aggressive behaviour.

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Green spotted puffer?

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Green spotted puffer?

It tends to prey on the fins of slow-moving fish. Similarly, long-finned fish will be attacked: their fins will end up torn or nibbled.

Because of its character and the specificities of the water parameters (the hardness of which will vary during its existence, see "its aquarium"), very few fish are able to live with it.

The best roommate will undoubtedly be the archer fish (Toxotes Jaculatrix). Big catfish are also possible.

Breeding

How to breed the Green spotted puffer?

Breeding

How to breed the Green spotted puffer?

Breeding of this fish is quite difficult in captivity, although some success has already been reported.

To trigger spawning, brackish water is essential. The temperature will be around 26°C (79°F) and the pH will be 8. For decoration, plan flat rocks that will be used as spawning grounds.

The eggs are laid on a rock or directly on the substrate. The eggs will be guarded by the male. The eggs hatch after 7 days. Be careful, the fry are known to be difficult to feed.

To grow well, the fry will have to be born in fresh water, then gradually move to brackish water (density 1005-1008) to finally live in salt water as adults (density 1015).

Fry food: Cyclops nauplia, marine rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis).

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Green spotted puffer?

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Green spotted puffer?

Even if your fish is acclimatized to fresh water at the time of acquisition, it must be passed through brackish water very gradually until an ideal density of 1015 (over several months) is reached. In the wild, the yellow grouse are born in fresh water, then during its growth they go to places where salt water and fresh water meet. Once adult, they move closer to sea water, sometimes even going out to the open sea! Life in brackish water allows your pretty fish to live longer and in much better conditions.

The floor of your aquarium should be made of coral sand (useful for the fish's teeth) and strewn with rocks.

Powerful filtration is necessary, but limit the current generated at the outlet because the Tetraodon is not a very good swimmer and could quickly get tired. For example, you can break the current by directing the discharge rod towards the walls of the aquarium.

Allow plenty of free swimming space and avoid narrow corners. Because of its shape, your fish can easily get stuck in the scenery.

Finally, put some floating plants to sieve your tank.

Tetraodon nigroviridis

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Like rabbits, the teeth of the Tetraodon Nigroviridis grow all the time!

It tolerates very well variations in the density of its water because this is very frequent in its natural environment.

In the wild, this fish can measure 14 to 17 cm (5.5 to 6.7"). In captivity, it rarely exceeds 10 cm (4").

Their life expectancy varies enormously depending on their maintenance conditions. In freshwater exclusively, it will live only 2 to 3 years. On the other hand, in brackish water, it can live up to 8 years!

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

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