Pufferfish is one of the world’s most curious aquatic animals. It is also funny because it transforms its body into a spherical ball or balloon when it feels threatened or scared. This distinctive mark, typical of its species, has made it famous.
However, the puffer fish is not only curious, funny, and famous. it is also regarded as one of the most toxic animals in the world.
History of the puffer fish
The puffer fish, or troodontids (Tetraodontidae) by its scientific name, is a species of fish that belongs to the marine and estuarine family and the Tetraodontiformes order. Different species of puffer fish were found. Their morphology is very similar to that of the porcupine fish, which is considered to be their relative.
Some organs, such as the liver and skin, can be very dangerous for most animals, as they contain tetrodotoxin or tetrogodine.
However, pufferfish meat is an extremely exquisite delicacy for some people, as long as it is prepared by a trained person who knows what part of the meat is safe to eat and how much to consume.
Characteristics of the puffer fish
For some, this may be a harmless animal. However, when it feels in danger or scared, it transforms completely, swelling up into a sphere and spraying a highly poisonous substance, which it uses to defend itself
Pufferfish have a soft body. However, its size in a fish tank is not more than 10 centimeters.
pufferfish have large and round eyes. Its mouth has a pair of very reinforced lips, with a parrot-like beak on the upper lip. It only has a very small dorsal fin at the back of the caudal appendage, which is very easy to distinguish since it does not have pelvic fins.
This species’ predominant color is greenish yellow on the upper side and a slightly more silvery white tone on the belly. It has small black dots all over its body. Pufferfish are very fast.
Depending on the species, it can weigh between 150 grams and up to 10 kilograms. If cared for correctly, it can live up to 8 and 10 years.
Pufferfish Feeding
Despite being omnivorous, the puffer fish’s diet includes mainly vertebrate animals and algae. It has a somewhat peculiar behavior, as it bites everything that passes near its path. Its hard beak allows it to consume mussels, clams, and shellfish.
Some specialists have concluded that puffer fish’s lethal poison developed thanks to the bacteria of the animals it feeds on. Some species of puffer fish are in danger due to environmental pollution and overfishing.
However, in general terms, this species is not considered endangered. This is because it is still a genus with a fairly stable population number.
Pufferfish Care
Among the care that must be taken with the puffer fish, we will mention three essential aspects below.
Aquarium conditions
An aquarium suitable for a pufferfish should have at least 150 liters of water and a temperature between 24ºC and 28ºC. Although we previously mentioned that the puffer fish is a freshwater fish, when kept in captivity, salt is necessary to obtain partially salty water.
The bottom of the aquarium should be sandy and heavily planted with roots and logs, as these spaces will serve as a refuge for the animals. Pufferfish are generally active, so the animal must have enough space to swim freely.
The water must always be in good condition, which means changing it every week. It is also important to eliminate any leftover food the fish has not finished eating.
The diet
In its natural habitat, the puffer fish feeds on snails, which should be its regular food in captivity. It can also eat shellfish, which should be given to it with the shell included so that the animal can keep its teeth sharp.
Other foods that can be included in their diet are shrimp, insects, prawns, squid, octopus (in small pieces that fit their mouth), and larvae. They can also eat certain vegetables on the plants you have in the aquarium.
Finally, you must be careful not to overfeed them because they tend to be very gluttonous.
Behavior and compatibility when in captivity
Only one freshwater puffer fish should be kept in the aquarium, as they are very aggressive towards other fish of the same species. It is advisable to have several or more than one for a large aquarium, with space for all to feel comfortable.
However, there is no danger in keeping them with other types of marine animal species, of course, as long as their companions are fish of robust build and very active since they will nibble on the tails of weaker and slower fish. Among the cohabitants they can have are some types of goby and saltwater species.
Pufferfish Species
There are many species of puffer fish. Some of these are going to be mentioned below.
Irrubesco
It resembles the borneensis, Moretti, or salivator. You can tell which gender each one is by looking at its appearance: the female has black lines on her abdomen, and the male has a reddish caudal fin. It is also a shy species but very aggressive, even with fish of the same species.
Modest o dorado
It is often confused with other species since they often look like these when they are young. This happens especially with the nefarious because it is very similar to the modest puffer fish or golden puffer fish, both in appearance and in the care that must be taken; this species is very shy, agile, and not very friendly with other fish.
Dwarf
It is one of the best-known small species. Other names include the pea puffer fish and the pygmy puffer fish. It is worth noting that this name is in honor of its size since it is only one inch long and can only be found in some of the rivers of India.
Lol
In this species, the younger males have a greyish caudal fin. On the other hand, the females do not have spots, as in other types of puffer fish.
Green Leopard
It lives in Asia, in Vietnam, to be more specific. The green leopard pufferfish can also be found in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. As for its size, it can reach 18 centimeters in length.
Hunchback
Like the green leopard pufferfish, the humpback pufferfish lives in Asia, specifically in Indonesia, Thailand, and Borneo.
Wasp
They come from the Amazon basin and the great Orinoco River. Some wasp puffer fish can reach 12 centimeters long, and their favorite food is snails.
Esmeralda o nefarious
Like the goldfish, the emerald puffer fish or nefastus originates in Asia. Generally, when it reaches adulthood, it can reach a size of about 13 centimeters.
Congo Spotted
Its natural habitat is the Congo River, which is located on the African continent. Its average size is about 9 centimeters, and females reach a larger size than males.
Ocellated green
This species is native to some rivers in Vietnam and China. As adults, these fish can reach a length of about 15 centimeters. They also feed on worms and snails.
Red Ray Pufferfish
It comes from the rivers of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Its size can reach 10 centimeters in length. In addition, to distinguish its gender, you only have to look at the size and the belly since the female is larger than the male and has a more voluminous belly.
Other types of species are
The Giant Leopard Pufferfish is native to the Congo and Africa. It is 67 centimeters in size.
Diadem puffer fish is native to America and can be found from California to Peru.
The white-spotted pufferfish: native to Asia.
Red-eye puffer fish: which comes from Borneo.
The zebra puffer fish is native to the Nile River in Egypt.