8 Types of Saltwater Puffer Fish: Pictures, Facts & History

Puffer fish are fascinating fish identified for his or her potential to inflate themselves as much as twice their unique dimension when threatened. There are round 190 species of saltwater puffer fish belonging to the Tetraodontidae household and located worldwide.

They are often present in both freshwater, brackish, or saltwater habitats, though most species inhabit saltwater. Though there are many saltwater puffer fish, solely a choose few are saved in captivity. These fish captivate hobbyists with their fascinating behaviors, intelligence, and amusing protection mechanisms.

How Are Saltwater Puffer Fish Labeled?

There are over 100 species labeled as saltwater puffer fish within the order Tetraodontiformes. Saltwater puffer fish can vary in dimension and colour, with some species rising as much as 30 inches lengthy. They’re typically acknowledged by their elongated our bodies, beaks, small fins, and putting colours or markings. In contrast to most fish, puffer fish have spines somewhat than scales. This makes saltwater puffer fish extra delicate to water high quality points and a more sensible choice for knowledgeable fish keepers.

When feeling threatened, puffer fish will “puff up” their our bodies to make them seem bigger. Some species even have spines that stick out and make them unpalatable. The flesh and organs of puffer fish include tetrodotoxin, which is harmful when ingested.

The 8 Kinds of Saltwater Puffer Fish

Let’s have a look under at eight several types of saltwater puffer fish.

1. Sharpnose Valentini Puffer Fish

The Sharpnose valentini (Canthigaster valentini) is a small puffer fish also called the Black Saddled Toby. They’re native to the Indo-Pacific and located in subtropical or tropical marine water, like seaward reefs.

These puffers don’t develop very massive, and most adults solely attain 4 inches lengthy. You may acknowledge a Sharpnose valentini puffer by its massive inexperienced eyes, yellow caudal (tail) fin, and cream physique with black markings. They get their title from their elongated mouths and black markings that resemble a saddle.

Sharpnose valentini puffers are frequent within the aquarium commerce the place they make fascinating pets for expert fish keepers. They require a minimal tank dimension of round 30 gallons and luxuriate in a weight loss program containing varied filamentous algae, corals, and mollusks. They do greatest in a species-only aquarium, and each men and women are territorial.

2. Blue-Noticed Puffer Fish

Blue-spotted puffers (Canthigaster solandri) are small fish discovered within the tropical Central Pacific waters. They’re generally referred to as Sharpnose Noticed puffers and shouldn’t be confused with a equally named species, Arothron caeruleopunctatus. Their pure habitat consists of rocky and seaward reefs at depths of 10 to 85 toes.

Blue-spotted puffers have brilliantly coloured our bodies, however their most distinctive characteristic is their neon blue spots and stripes. Most Blue-spotted puffers attain an grownup size of 4.5 to five inches and do greatest in a spacious aquarium above 50 gallons. Fish keepers would possibly wish to suppose twice earlier than putting them in aquariums with coral collections, as these puffers will eat them.

3. Stars and Stripes Puffer Fish

The Stars and Stripes puffer fish (Arothron hispidus) is without doubt one of the bigger puffers saved in aquariums. They will attain as much as 18 inches lengthy, so a 180-gallon tank is the minimal dimension for these puffers. Stars and Stripes puffers have a predominantly white physique paired with darkish markings that create a dot-like define.

Except for being a prized puffer in captivity, they are often present in Indo-Pacific waters like reefs and tidepools. As soon as mature, Stars and Stripes puffer fish grow to be solitary and semi-aggressive and shouldn’t be saved collectively. Like most puffers, they get pleasure from a assorted weight loss program of corals, krill, sponges, crabs, and algae.

4. Guineafowl Puffer Fish

The solitary Guineafowl puffer fish (Arothron meleagris) is discovered within the Indo-Pacific and Jap Pacific waters. There they inhabit reefs and primarily feed on invertebrates like sponges and corals. Guineafowl puffers have an fascinating look that resembles the African birds they’re named after.

Their our bodies are a darkish greyish colour with a whole bunch of tiny white dots. Nevertheless, they are often discovered in several colour types—yellow, dark-spotted, and white. It’s extra frequent to see them with Guineafowl markings and the opposite variations are uncommon. You will discover Guineafowl puffers in captivity the place they make pricey marine pets or discovered displayed in skilled aquariums.

5. Northern Puffer Fish

The Northern puffer (Sphoeroides maculatus) is discovered at depths of 30 to 600 toes on the northwest Atlantic coast. These puffers are believed to include much less toxins of their flesh than different marine species, though some nonetheless have their doubts. Northern puffer fish have yellow our bodies with a cream underside and darkish brown bands throughout their dorsal space.

These puffer fish are eaten as a delicacy in sea squab dishes within the Cheapskate Bay space. Northern puffers get pleasure from a weight loss program of shellfish reminiscent of crabs that they eat utilizing their sturdy beaks.

6. Starry Puffer Fish

Starry puffer fish (Arothron stellatus) boasts a powerful dimension of three toes lengthy and could be discovered within the Indo-Pacific waters. Juvenile Starry puffers have a extra yellow or orange physique and bigger brown markings than adults. The adults often have a light-weight gray colour and small darkish spots.

They’re one of many largest puffer fish on the earth and require exceptionally massive aquariums to thrive. Subsequently, this species shouldn’t be really useful for newbie fish keepers and has demanding care necessities. Within the wild, Starry puffer fish inhabit shallow reefs and lagoons at depths of 200 toes. They’re eaten in Japan with essentially the most poisonous components of their physique eliminated, as their organs often include the best concentrations of tetrodotoxin.

7. Dogface Puffer Fish

The Dogface or Blackspotted puffer (Arothron nigropunctatus) is without doubt one of the extra scary-looking puffer fish on the listing. They earn their title from their uncanny markings that resemble a canine’s face. They’re present in quite a few colour variations, reminiscent of yellow, orange, gray, and light-weight brown with darkish markings round their mouth and eyes.

Adults can develop to a foot lengthy and like a solitary life-style as nocturnal hunters. Dogface puffers are discovered within the tropical Indo-Pacific waters, except for the Pink Sea. They inhabit reefs and feed on benthic invertebrates.

This species is present in captivity and makes an fascinating addition to spacious reef aquariums. Sadly, most captive specimens are wild-caught and have difficulty adjusting to life in aquariums. They might be tough to feed at first and infrequently refuse meals.

8. Map Puffer Fish

The Map puffer fish (Arothron mappa) is a medium-sized species that inhabits tropical and subtropical waters in the Indo-Pacific region. Map puffer fish go by different frequent names just like the Scribbled Toadfish or Arothron. These puffers have distinctive markings that make them a prized species to maintain in aquariums. Their our bodies are lined with gold, yellow, and cream markings with yellow-tinged fins.

Map puffer fish can develop very massive at 26 inches lengthy, so they need to solely be saved in tanks over 300 gallons. They aren’t suitable with reef aquariums as a result of they may eat invertebrates, though they like meaty meals like squid and krill.

Featured Picture Credit score: Aries Sutanto, Shutterstock