Stars and Stripes Pufferfish
Snapshot: This majesty is decked out in a dynamic blend of white dots and belly stripes against a brown-gray canvas. It has vibrant yellow fins, and gets its name for its striking appearance.
Other tidbits: Can grow up to 21cm or so. Native to tropical waters of the Indo-west Pacific region. These puffers pack a powerful beak, tailor-made for shell-crushing. When threatened, they'll puff themselves up in a dramatic display of defense.
Bare bones must know: Live-rock fish-only system, fish-only system. Top-notch filtration to cope with messy eating habits. Use a container, not a net, for transfer to prevent stress. Handle with extreme care, its defense mechanism, tetrodotoxin, is lethal. When threatened or when it dies, it releases a toxin deadly to other tank mates. Best kept in its own aquarium.
Aquarium set-up: Create the ultimate aquatic haven with a spacious tank, boasting top-notch filtration and a protein skimmer. Get creative with aquascaping, layering live rock and other materials to craft a vibrant landscape teeming with hideaways, caves, and overhangs. Deck out your tank with plenty of hiding spots to spare your puffer from toxic showdowns with aggressors. Maintain an aquatic utopia by nailing the basics: rock-solid water quality with top-notch filtration and routine partial water changes.
Feeding: Don't overlook their dental care! With a diet rich in tough treats like clams and snails, these puffers need their specialized teeth to crack 'em open. They're not shy about scraping algae off rocks either! Keep those chompers in check by serving up a buffet of squid, krill, clams, and hard-shelled prawns. It's the key to keeping those ever-growing teeth in top shape!
AQT note: All our fish feast on a diet of seaweed, marine pellets, flakes and frozen treats under our care. Keep the feast going in your tank!