Green Spotted Pufferfish (Tetraodon Nigroviridis) Species Profile & Care Guide

The Green Spotted Pufferfish has an aggressive nature which limits its ability to be housed with other fish so therefore is not suitable for the community tank. They are also scaleless and do not have gill covers so will require immaculate upkeep. Consequently, they are not ideal for a beginner aquarist either. However, these fish are active swimmers, extremely rewarding and are some of the most intelligent fish readily available, with brilliant personalities.

This species begins their life in freshwater and then progresses to saltwater throughout its life.

The Green Spotted Pufferfish has a green body that displays black spots. Its belly is white, and the tail and the fins are light green. This Pufferfish has protruding eyes, a pug-dog face and a frog-like appearance giving it a unique look, all the more reason to keep it as a pet. Amazingly this fish can also recognise its owners and will likely react as soon as a well-known face comes next to the tank.

It has a strong jaw, and instead of the usual fish teeth, there are four teeth-like structures it uses for crushing.

This fish has no pelvic fins; instead, its pectoral fins are used for its manoeuvrability. With this, it can swim backwards or forwards with plenty of energy.

These species puff themselves up when it feels threatened and can balloon as the spines jute outwards to warn an enemy. Its flesh contains a poisonous substance that can kill a predator that eats it.

Natural Habitat of the Green Spotted Pufferfish

Green Spotted Pufferfish are native to Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam in Southeast Asia they inhabit rivers, streams and flooded areas.

These fish have been known to transpire in coastal freshwater and brackish water areas mainly because they start in freshwater and as they get older they migrate to brackish or marine water conditions.

Other Pufferfish of interest

Diet

Green spotted Pufferfish will normally eat everything they can and would if given a chance eat themselves to death. It's better to provide them with a smaller, healthy diet rather than overfeeding. Variety is the key.

The essential food for them is snails that are similar to the size of their eyes. The snail's shells will file down their beak-like teeth, which would grow so long that they would no longer be capable of eating. The most substantial part of their diet is crustaceans. They are true carnivores and relish meaty foods.

When these fish are young, their diet consists of snails, plankton, cockles, brine shrimp, worms and whitebait and as they reach maturity, they will consume all the above as well as lobster, crayfish, crabs legs, scallops, squid, mussels and clams.

Breeding the Green Spotted Pufferfish

One way of breeding the Green Spotted Pufferfish is having more than five of these fish in a tank. This will increase the chance of mixed sexes. After recognising a female, which usually become huge after breeding you can then manage spawning.

For the best results, you will need a tank with brackish water, and plenty of flat rocks or pebbles this will provide a surface for them to lay there eggs upon.

Once the female has laid her eggs, the male takes over, guarding and protecting the eggs. The eggs will hatch approximately seven days later, where they will be moved to a pit where the male will continue to defend them.

Raising the fry is very challenging. The fry does not readily consume most foods at this stage, only being able to eat things like Cyclops nauplii.

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