Findings On Takifugu Ocellatus

[Marine/Freshwater?]

With everything everyone has told me about this species I was hesitant at first about getting one. Really they are very hardy. The tank has been at 78 degrees for the past 2 months. Really this species is not sensitive to abiotic factors at all. they just stress and burn oxygen ridiculously. Mine has had the biggest wounds of any fish I have ever seen and lived! The only real issues have been paracites, oxygen, and tankmates. My had been nearly eaten by sea lice. Freshwater dips worked. To rectify to oxygen problem I use the turbulence from a skimmer/filter. Peacock puffers are not aggressive they just pack so much punch, not only are they fast, but they have massive jaws. As long as someone can provide them a stimulating stress free home they are tough as nails. At four months I think I have things ironed out with this fish. The reason these fish are so hard is because people worry so much about their fish that they constantly have their hands in their tanks. These are not difficult fish. They are just easily stressed.

 

[nmonks]

Thanks for sharing these observations. Very interesting.

I do agree that oxygen may be a key aspect of their healthcare: certainly with many other subtropical fish (for example loaches and hillstream trout) supplemental aeration is central to long-term success. Keeping the tank cool increases the amount of oxygen in the water while reducing the metabolic rate (and hence oxygen consumption). So that's why keeping these fish cool may help.

On the flip side, if you keep a fish too cold, it's immune response and digestive system stop working properly. So finding the "sweet spot" between the two extremes is critical. I suspect 26 C is a bit on the warm side, given their natural distribution, and would suggest slightly cooler conditions. I normally keep my tropical fish at 24 C unless I have specific reasons to do otherwise: far too many aquarists keep their fish needlessly warm, shortening their lives.

Cheers, Neale

 

[Marine/Freshwater?]

You do have a point on metabolism/temp/life span. I have no real means of cooling the tank so whaterever. Sorry about not putting it into metric.