Brackish Fish Profiles

[xenacanth9]

Takifugu ocellatus - Orange saddle fugu pufferfish

Scientific Name:Takifugu ocellatus
Common Names: Orange saddle fugu pufferfish
Care Level: Medium
Adult Size: 15cm (12")
pH Range: 7.8-8.4
Temperature Range: 24-28°C/75-82°F
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.015-1.025
Origin/Habitat: Found in rivers and costal areas in China and Vietnam.
Temperament/Behavior: Very aggressive. Difficult with most tankmates.
Compatible Tank mates: Certain robust species such as similarly-sized puffers, scats, monos, and possibly eels could work.
Diet: Hard foods such as snails, as well as softer, meatier foods such as bloodworms. Hard foods are required to trim teeth.
Tank Size For Adult: A single specimen will require about 125 gallons.
Narrative: Like many brackish fish, often sold as a freshwater specimen. T. ocellatus can live for certain periods of time in full freshwater, but will not prosper when kept in freshwater long-term, and will ultimately die prematurely. Takifugu are commonly served as simply "fugu," and are available at some sushi restaurants. If purchased in freshwater, transition to brackish via slow drip acclimation. No sexual dimorphism is noted.

 

[xenacanth9]

Colomesus psittacus - Parrot pufferfish

Scientific Names: Colomesus psittacus
Common Names: Parrot pufferfish
Care Level: Medium
Adult Size: 15cm (12")
pH Range: 7.5-8.0
Temperature Range: 24-28°C/75-82°F
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.010-1.025
Origin/Habitat: Found in rivers and estuaries in countries throughout South America.
Temperament/Behavior: Peaceful by puffer standards.
Compatible Tank mates: Similarly-sized puffers, catfish, scats, monos, brackish chromides, eels, and more could work.
Diet: Hard foods such as snails, as well as softer, meatier foods such as bloodworms. Hard foods are required to trim teeth.
Tank Size For Adult: A single group of fish will require about 200 gallons.
Narrative: Like many brackish fish, often sold as a freshwater specimen. C. psittacus can live for certain periods of time in full freshwater, but will not prosper when kept in freshwater long-term, and will ultimately die prematurely. C. psittacus is sometimes confused with C. asellus, the Amazon puffer. If purchased in freshwater, transition to brackish via slow drip acclimation. No sexual dimorphism is noted.