Puffer Fish Care & Tank Set up Guide (Dichotomyctere fluviatilis)

Ceylon puffer also called the Green puffer is native to parts of South East Asia which includes, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand etc. The Ceylon puffer is confused as Figure 8 puffer due to similar markings. This a brackish water fish & will not survive for long in freshwater aquarium. This puffer will grow approximately 6 inches in length & may live for 15 years are more. Like many puffer fish this puffer can infiltrate itself with water & air increasing its size when threatened. This usually scares off any predators. The meat of this fish is poisonous & should not be consumed, it should be handled carefully in home aquarium. the teeth can break shells easily, you an imagine what it can do to your fingers.

Scientific name – Dichotomyctere fluviatilis previously it was called Tetraodon fluviatilis

About the Video – The puffer fish you see in the video are less than a inch & i’m guessing its wild caught. They are in a 20 gallon tank, I have the specific gravity on this tank at 1.005 & will move these fish into my Brackish aquarium once they reach 2 inches.

Aquarium care of Ceylon puffer –
Tank size – adult ceylon puffer need 55 gallon or bigger tank
Tank Decor – sandy bottom with driftwood, artificial or live plants which can with stand higher salinity. Rocks can be used to create hiding places.

Filtration – HOB filter with bio-wheel works well with brackish aquarium.

Food – Krill, snails, shellfish, live & frozen food. krill chips, pellets high on protein etc. shellfish & snails are essential part of diet without which their teeth would grow outwards & they will not be able to open their mouth & feed. Shellfish & snails help keep their teeth strong & intact & should be fed at least once a week.

Tank maintenance – Puffer fish don’t have gill covered & are messy eaters. minimum 10% water change weekly is needed. when you start the tank make sure the specific gravity is 1.005 & move upwards by 0.002 with water change by adding 3 to 4 spoons of marine salt in water mixed in a separate container.

Water parameters –
Temperature range – 75-82°F (24-28°C)
pH range – 8 to 8.5

Tank mate –
They can be in species only tank however they get aggressive as they age, they can be kept with mono angelfish, scats, archerfish etc, monitor the behavior as they are nasty fin nippers.

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