Sexing Tetraodon suvattii

[paulh81]

Just wanted to know if any1 knows of any diferances between sexes on Tetraodon suvattii (arrow/pig/hog nose puffer)

ive noticed on the forum pics that there is a eye shape on the bace of the tail? before the tail fin starts, ive noticed mine has one eye pattern, and some have up to three!

also colouring varies dramaticly.. but mine seems so change colour constantly depending on what hes - or she.. is sitting on, any ideas?

[Myaj]

Generally, their coloring and marking seem to be pretty individual.. no two are the same, and they change their coloring depending on mood, health, feeding, sleeping. There's really no outward signs of their sex though, short of maybe the females getting fatter and rounder when holding eggs.

Check out the article in the library about breeding arrowheads if you haven't already, you'll probably find it interesting (and maybe Rocker mentioned some possible sexual differences that I'm not remembering off the top of my head too):

library/puffers-in-focus/suvattibreeding/

Good stuff there

[Bogwoodbruce]

Ive always found the males to have a much darker/more prominant 'V' shape on their head

[Rocker]

there is no way to tell them apart just looking at them.they show no external differences.

[Bogwoodbruce]

there is no way to tell them apart just looking at them.they show no external differences.

There are a few tell tail signs considering the fact that these are tankbred in the shop i work at and seeing the parents i think different lol

[paulh81]

Heres a little video of mine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HEuXuuFlCg

[Myaj]

Bogwoodbruce, could you show some photos and give more info telling us what you see as sexual differences?

[Bogwoodbruce]

Bogwoodbruce, could you show some photos and give more info telling us what you see as sexual differences?

Only got a couple will find a link

[Bogwoodbruce]

Link :-
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=17630

[paulh81]

Thanks for the reply bruce... thats so helpfull as i was going to buy a second fish (kept seperately) but wanted a pair.. looking at your breeding pair they look like 2 different fish completely! im now thinking mines a female!

Its recently become a completely different fish, he/she is really active, puffing up and displaying alot! (even when no1's anywhere near the tank?) He/she has also made its self a little dugout in the corner in wich it defends (like a nest?) scinse i bought it, it normaly just sits there dug into the sand looking miserable but recently its just become like a normal fish swiming everywhere! (altho i have started swiching the light off for longer periods of time and switched to a 15w bulb)

As for food, the guppies have been swapped to Goldfish, and water changes are 10% weekly, there are now no plecs in the tank either...

[Bogwoodbruce]

Thanks for the reply bruce... thats so helpfull as i was going to buy a second fish (kept seperately) but wanted a pair.. looking at your breeding pair they look like 2 different fish completely! im now thinking mines a female!

Its recently become a completely different fish, he/she is really active, puffing up and displaying alot! (even when no1's anywhere near the tank?) He/she has also made its self a little dugout in the corner in wich it defends (like a nest?) scinse i bought it, it normaly just sits there dug into the sand looking miserable but recently its just become like a normal fish swiming everywhere! (altho i have started swiching the light off for longer periods of time and switched to a 15w bulb)

As for food, the guppies have been swapped to Goldfish, and water changes are 10% weekly, there are now no plecs in the tank either...

no worries, i try to be helpful

[Myaj]

Just an FYI, if you are going to feed live feeders, guppies (or any livebearer) are a lot healthier than goldfish. Either way, make sure you are quarentining them for a few weeks to make sure you aren't feeding your puffer a fish loaded with parasites and carrying diseases, or better yet, breed your own.

Most of us prefer to feed dead foods as they are healthier and prevent disease/parasite issues, but if you do choose to feed live feeders try to keep them as healthy as possible. It would be a shame to lose a puffer over a 10 cent feeder goldfish and some impatience

[paulh81]

To be honest with you i prefer to feed live, and i dont you 10 cent feeders as i live in the uk, and i spend more like 2 pounds on my goldfish that are very healthy, i buy 2 per week for him, so its only 4-5 pounds per week...

[Myaj]

That's fine, I'm just giving you a little info on live feeders since it sounded like you switched recently.

Goldfish are very fatty, livebearers are a bit more healthy (easier to digest, less fatty).

[paulh81]

i only changed because the guppies seemed a little small, how many guppies do you suggest i feed per week?