Red Eye Puffers/somphongs Puffer

[Debbie_19]

I was just wondering if there is anyone here who keeps this fish? I was at a local aquarium today and seen one and thought they were lovely. The people in the shop said were very helpful and said that they are purely freshwater puffers and usually not aggrsive towards other fish just other puffers and they grow to about 6cm.

I decided to go home and do some research on this fish first and it seems that all they have told me is true.

But just wondering if there is anyone that keeps them and can tell me how they are?

Thanks everyone

 

[nmonks]

This fish is currently known as Carinotetraodon lorteti. It is small (4-5 cm), territorial, relatively aggressive towards members of its own kind, but otherwise not difficult to keep. It is indeed a freshwater fish, but not fussy about water chemistry. Slightly acidic to neutral, slightly soft to moderately hard water would be fine, but like practically all freshwater puffers it will adapt to anything. Water quality means rather more to them, and you want to be doing regular, substantial water changes (certainly at least 25% a week).

Carinotetraodon lorteti is not a community fish. Some specimens are said to be tolerant, but many are fin-nippers and some are outright hostile to their tankmates. It is certainly less safe with other fish than Carinotetraodon irrubesco, which is the species of red-eye puffer I keep. Most people who have experience of Carinotetraodon species generally would say keep them in their own tank, allowing something like 10 gallons per fish if you wanted a male plus one or two females. Keeping two males together is probably asking for trouble.

Carinotetraodon lorteti has been bred in home aquaria fairly frequently. It is an egg-scatterer that provides no brood care. Otherwise, much of what Fella has written on the pinned topic for dwarf puffers will hold true for this species. You could also consult the excellent Aqualog pufferfish book.

Cheers, Neale

 

[Debbie_19]

This fish is currently known as Carinotetraodon lorteti. It is small (4-5 cm), territorial, relatively aggressive towards members of its own kind, but otherwise not difficult to keep. It is indeed a freshwater fish, but not fussy about water chemistry. Slightly acidic to neutral, slightly soft to moderately hard water would be fine, but like practically all freshwater puffers it will adapt to anything. Water quality means rather more to them, and you want to be doing regular, substantial water changes (certainly at least 25% a week).

Carinotetraodon lorteti is not a community fish. Some specimens are said to be tolerant, but many are fin-nippers and some are outright hostile to their tankmates. It is certainly less safe with other fish than Carinotetraodon irrubesco, which is the species of red-eye puffer I keep. Most people who have experience of Carinotetraodon species generally would say keep them in their own tank, allowing something like 10 gallons per fish if you wanted a male plus one or two females. Keeping two males together is probably asking for trouble.

Carinotetraodon lorteti has been bred in home aquaria fairly frequently. It is an egg-scatterer that provides no brood care. Otherwise, much of what Fella has written on the pinned topic for dwarf puffers will hold true for this species. You could also consult the excellent Aqualog pufferfish book.

Cheers, Neale

Thanks for the advice. Is there any kind of puffer that could live in a community tank (20g)? Or are all puffers aggrisive. I would love to have one but do not want a 20g tank with only one 4-5cm fish in it. So if all puffers are aggrisive I will try to find something else that I like. Even though puffers are the cutest wee things eva!!

 

[nmonks]

Short answer: no.

None of the freshwater puffers are really community fish in a robust, reliable sort of way. In the best case scenario, you can mix SAPs with fast-moving tetras and plecs and have a reasonable chance of success, but SAPs need to be kept in groups and want lots of swimming space, so a 20 gallon tank isn't really an option.

Pufferfish are worth setting aside a tank for. They are more engaging than most other freshwater fish, and amply repay the extra effort. There's no reason not to put them in a planted aquarium, so you can make their tank very pretty if you wanted.

Cheers, Neale

Thanks for the advice. Is there any kind of puffer that could live in a community tank (20g)? Or are all puffers aggrisive. I would love to have one but do not want a 20g tank with only one 4-5cm fish in it. So if all puffers are aggrisive I will try to find something else that I like. Even though puffers are the cutest wee things eva!!

 

[Debbie_19]

Short answer: no.

None of the freshwater puffers are really community fish in a robust, reliable sort of way. In the best case scenario, you can mix SAPs with fast-moving tetras and plecs and have a reasonable chance of success, but SAPs need to be kept in groups and want lots of swimming space, so a 20 gallon tank isn't really an option.

Pufferfish are worth setting aside a tank for. They are more engaging than most other freshwater fish, and amply repay the extra effort. There's no reason not to put them in a planted aquarium, so you can make their tank very pretty if you wanted.

Cheers, Neale

Thanks for the advice. Is there any kind of puffer that could live in a community tank (20g)? Or are all puffers aggrisive. I would love to have one but do not want a 20g tank with only one 4-5cm fish in it. So if all puffers are aggrisive I will try to find something else that I like. Even though puffers are the cutest wee things eva!!

Yes that is mabey a good idea. Can you keep more than one puffer together without too much agro. And if so what is the best puffer to get for this. I do like the dwarf puffers (tiny tiny ones) but would rather have something that is a little easier to see.