Green Spotted Puffer

A green-gold back covered in round dark spots, above a clean white belly. Young fish look harmless and often have stronger spots.

Often confused with the Green Puffer, Dichotomyctere fluviatilis, which has a different spot pattern and needs more salt. Dichotomyctere sabahensis is also sold under this name.

No known external differences. It is seemingly impossible to sex by eye.

Use a sandy bottom, rocks and wood, with open swimming space. Plants may be chewed, and few survive salt, so choose tough ones such as Java Fern, or use artificial plants. It is very sensitive to poor water.

Active and inquisitive, and it often learns to beg for food. Some fish become spiteful with age.

Often best alone. Fish are sometimes kept together in big tanks, but fighting is common.

Can be highly aggressive towards other puffers and tankmates.

Not a true community fish. It may nip the fins of slow or long-finned fish. In a large brackish tank, robust, active fish such as scats, monos and archerfish are sometimes used, but the risk remains. It will eat shrimp and snails.

Brackish water at about SG 1.005 is usually suggested for adults. It is found in both fresh and brackish water in the wild, and sources disagree on whether salt is essential. It does appear to live longer with it.

A carnivore that needs snails and unshelled shellfish to keep its beak worn down, alongside worms and frozen food.

Check the beak regularly. If it overgrows, the fish can no longer eat and the teeth may need to be trimmed by someone experienced.

Rarely achieved and only in brackish water. Eggs are laid on flat rocks, and the male guards them.