by Adewale Olowode

Created on: October 28, 2008

Pufferfish is the family name for the species of fish known as Tetraodontidae, so called because they have four teeth. Different species of pufferfish exist and over hundred species are known around the world. The different species could be found in freshwater, brackish, marine or sea water. Pufferfish is so called because of their peculiar defensive habit to inflate themselves with air or water when irritated. It is not particularly suited to cold environment, and so, is found largely in the tropics. Pufferfish is a poisonous vertebrate, second to only golden poison frog.

Naming

The common names of this wonderful species of fish include blowfish, balloon fish, puffers, and pufferfish. Scientifically, Nile puffer is a freshwater pufferfish known as Tetraodon lineatus. It is also called banded puffer, or Fahaka. Another pufferfish is Colomesus asellus, commonly known as South American puffer, Peruvian puffer, or Brazilian puffer. Green spotted pufferfish is called Tetraodon nigriviridis.

Nativity

Teraodon lineatus is native to Africa, while Colomesus asellus is found in Peru, Columbia, and Amazon Basin of Brazil. Tetraodon nigriviridis is found in Asian countries of Thailand, Sri lanka, Indonesia, and India. Others are found in both tropical- and warm- temperate climates.

Physical features

Pufferfish could close its eyes, a characteristic which is found only with sharks. Again, because both pufferfish and porcupine fish could puff out water, swelling up to become some sort of balloons, many people tend to confuse one with the other. The true story is that porcupine fish have large and prominent spines all over their bodies, while pufferfish have small to none. Comfortable and fit in a large aquarium, many species of pufferfish could grow to a length of 18 inches (about 45 cm long). This fish has no scales, and the color and size are varied.

Habitat

Many species of pufferfish live in freshwater. Others are found in brackish, marine or sea water. For example, green spotted pufferfish is especially cut for brackish water, which is both hard (dGH 12.0-18.0 N) and alkaline (7.5-8.5). A temperature of 24-28 0C (75-82 0F) is adequate for many species. A weekly water change of about 40-50 percent is advisable.

Cost

A pufferfish cost on the average $4.50-$8.00.

Concentration

Pufferfish are best in bigger tanks because of their size. Overcrowding will not work. A hobbyist should consider 10-20 gal per fish for a start.

Feeding

Pufferfish feeds on a wide variety of items, including

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