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February 10, 2012
Marine Fish
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Spotted Sharpnose Puffer
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Spotted Sharpnose Puffer
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

The Spotted Sharpnose Puffer is also called, simply, the Spotted Puffer. Members of the Canthigaster genus are called Sharp-nosed Puffers or Tobies. It is a reddish brown with white spots. It lacks pelvic fins, but has learned to use the pectoral fins to move about the aquarium.

A 50 gallon or larger, fish-only aquarium is suitable. It may be aggressive at times, nipping the fins of tank mates, leaving a circular hole as its mark. It will eat invertebrates found in a reef tank. Its teeth are actually a fused beak-like structure which it uses to crush its prey.

Parts of its flesh are poisonous. It has the ability, when threatened or alarmed, to inflate its body to almost twice its normal size. It does get alarmed when in a net, therefore, use a container to transfer it.

The Spotted Sharpnose Puffer needs a varied diet of meaty foods including squid, krill, clams, and hard shelled shrimp to help wear down their ever growing teeth.

Fish Facts
Name: Spotted Sharpnose Puffer (Canthigaster punctatissimus)
Family: Tetraodontidae
Range: Global
Size: Up to 5 inches
Diet: Omnivore
Tank Set-up: Marine: Coral or rock, plants
Reef Compatible: No
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Minimum Tank Capacity: 50 gallon
Light: High
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Swimming Level: No specific level
Care Level: Moderate
Reproduction: Egg Scatterer
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Picture(s): Courtesy of Drs. Foster and Smith |
Information provided courtesy of PetEducation.com

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