Green pufferfish (Tetraodon fluviatilis)

Scientific name: Tetraodon fluviatilis Hamilton, 1822

The Green pufferfish (Tetraodon fluviatilis) is a freshwater fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows to about 20 cm (7.9 in). In the aquarium it needs a tank of at least 190 L (50 US gal), water at 24–28°C (75–82°F) and a pH of 7.5–8.4. Native range: Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Borneo.

Green pufferfish care at a glance

Adult size
20 cm (7.9 in)
Minimum tank
190 L (50 US gal)
Temperature
24–28°C (75–82°F)
pH
7.5–8.4

Biology

Adults occur usually in slow-moving rivers, estuaries and the upper reaches of backwaters. Prefers shady, marginal areas. Feed on mollusks, crustaceans and other invertebrates as well as vascular plants and detritus. Occasionally feed on fish scales and fins. The muscular tissue and viscera are extremely toxic. Common in the aquarium trade, but adults are known to be pugnacious and aggressive with its tankmates.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Tetraodon fluviatilis
Family
Tetraodontidae (Puffers)
Order
Tetraodontiformes (Puffers and Filefishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
17.0
Environment
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Borneo. Recorded from the Mekong delta.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Poisonous to eat
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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