My puffers-trying to determine if LFS is misinformed

[alisha40]

I was going to post this in another thread, but since you asked! It's kind of a mystery (or not?) I think I'm going to be needing to call my LFS and let them know they are grossly mistaken, but I want to be SURE. They were labeled as "Neon Green Dwarf Puffers" and labeled as brackish. Well, I got them home and started trying to find stuff online and realized they didn't look anything like any dwarf puffer out there. They look more like Auriglobus Modestus but only about 1 inch long (so far?). They've grown a bit in the last month but not too much. So, I have to figure this out. Get this, I called LFS to see what the latin name was according to them, and they said they didn't know the species for sure but the genus was tetraodon. I don't think so, based on internet info. Here's a pic:



Moved from "Show your face"

[eieio]

ahhh, the good old LFS!!!
what would we do without them?
i think you're probably right on your identification
nice fish
how many did you get?

[alisha40]

I got 3, on their recommendation, for a 6 gallon Fluval Edge. HOWEVER, if they are going to get to be 4" (approx), this is a bad idea. Also, if they are not dwarf, I have to think about having a regular supply of snails. Also, I have to know FOR SURE what they are so that I can make sure the water is correct (brackish vs. freshwater). There is a lot at stake here, so I really need some good biology-based determinations.

[J-P]

Could be golden puffers or common puffers ... but they look really nice!

[eieio]

well, this needs to be verified, but i'm pretty sure that it's a freshwater fish
the minimum tank size for one fish is 20 gallons
unfortunately, the Fluval is much too small, even for one
our Pufferpedia (in the "learn" tab, above) has some good info on them

[PolishPuff]

Modestus is the ID of this puffer.

[alisha40]

Yes, it has info on Auriglobus Modestus, but "Neon Green" isn't listed anywhere on its own or as an alias for Modestus, so it isn't obvious, except by the photos.

ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/A_Modestus/

I've thoroughly read that article and another I found online that is as detailed or better.

[eieio]

that's the one. i've seen them referred to as "avocado puffers" also.
but "Auriglobus Modestus" is the proper name

[J-P]

Your "Neon Green" Tetraodon cutcutia AKA "Emerald Puffer" but that can be mislabeled.

[alisha40]

Yeah, they don't look anything like the tetraodon cutcutia.

[alisha40]

Apparently, other LFSes are also labeling my fish as "Neon Green" based on this thread: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=15445&p=158182&hil ... en#p158182. It might be same chain of stores based on location (NY, OH and two in IL). I just wonder where they get their information. Their supplier?

[Pufferpunk]

My guess is A silus but I'll have to look at my modestus in the morning when the lights are on. Check our Pufferpedia.

[eieio]

it would be nice to know whether it's an A Silus or an A Modestus, but either way, they can't live in a six gallon tank!
the housing & care looks to be about the same for either

[alisha40]

When I try to search for "silus" in the PufferPedia, I get nothin'. I searched for just Auriglobus and just got A. Modestus. ??

[eieio]

When I try to search for "silus" in the PufferPedia, I get nothin'. I searched for just Auriglobus and just got A. Modestus. ??

it's right next to modestus, to the right of it, in the freshwater puffer section