help identifying some puffers

[Terrance]

I got these pics 12hrs ago, before I went to work.

[Terrance]

http://www.segrestfarms.com/index.cfm?f ... ritus.html

Could you guys also give me more info about this puffer? It looks like a golden puffer, but these suppliers call it avocado puffers.

[CyberBob]

I got these pics 12hrs ago, before I went to work.

hmmm ... the one thing i'm not seeing is a spot. but, i do see the red eyes.
to me that would lean more towards abei. could be wrong though.
I'm almost certain of it actually.

Here's some details for that one:
ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/T_abei/

Still a great find

When RTR checks in, he will be able to ID a lil better I'm sure.
But, I have a feeling he might just agree in this case.

The avacado is pretty rare. I usually see them listed as golden or bronze puffers.
But as far as I know, they are all the same fish, just different common names.
Here's a lil info on the lil guy:
ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/A_Modestus/
Someone will correct me if I'm wrong

[Terrance]

Ohh ok. I now think this is an abei puffer too because the store list it as "mekong" puffer. According to pufferpedia, distribution for abei is S.E. Asia; Mekong river basin. They just name the puffer after the location?

[Corvus]

I got these pics 12hrs ago, before I went to work.

Clearly as can be: M. turgidus.

[Corvus]

http://www.segrestfarms.com/index.cfm?f ... ritus.html
Could you guys also give me more info about this puffer? It looks like a golden puffer, but these suppliers call it avocado puffers.

Yes, the scientific name is wrong, different genus... Puffers from this genus (Auriglobus) are hard to tell apart on living specimens. However, care for them is the same. It's best to at least try an ID on the specific specimen and not some model picture.

[Corvus]

Oh, I forgot about the M. abei suggestion: Certainly not. Body shape and color are wrong. Compare to the works of Kottelat and Roberts, who thoroughly described this species.

[Terrance]

Thanks Corvus!!!

Besides looking at a puffers behavior, how would I be able to identify an abei puffer?

[CyberBob]

Clearly as can be: M. turgidus.

Yikes! Ya know, I think he's right. Looks a lot like an abei also.
But, looks exactly like the Brown Puffer. Would you believe this was my second guess? hehe

here's the brown:
ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/T_Turgidus/

here's the abei:
ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/T_abei/

At least they're both in the target group
The main difference I see is the abei seems to be more torpedo shaped, while the brown is more round.
Color ... well, that has me confused. it is a close call for me.
The pattern has me a bit confused too. Almost looks like a hybrid to me.

but, here's a picture that should make it positive

ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/T_Turgi ... 5.jpg.html
No Spot

But, if your fish has this red dot, it could just be a fat abei. Not likely though.

ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Freshwater/T_abei/ ... ewsIndex=1
red spot

I agree with Corvus. Sorry I missed the shape

[Corvus]

The behaviour is very similar on target puffers, it differs more between specimens than within species.

M. abei can be IDd by their longer snout compared to your specimen or M. cochinchinensis and most important color. M. abei can show two color schemes: One dark with with yellow to silver bright spots (puffer is stressed), a lot of the original specimens collected to describe the species looked this way (no wonder). The other (normal) color is creme colored to light green with dark yellow, orange to red spots (not just the target). Especially on juveniles to subadults one spot stands out as a target, but not as typical as e.g. M. cochinchinensis (the latter character is not very useful for ID).

Your puffer is so M. turgidus I'd put it in the Pufferpedia.

[CyberBob]

The behaviour is very similar on target puffers, it differs more between specimens than within species.

M. abei can be IDd by their longer snout compared to your specimen or M. cochinchinensis and most important color. M. abei can show two color schemes: One dark with with yellow to silver bright spots (puffer is stressed), a lot of the original specimens collected to describe the species looked this way (no wonder). The other (normal) color is creme colored to light green with dark yellow, orange to red spots (not just the target). Especially on juveniles to subadults one spot stands out as a target, but not as typical as e.g. M. cochinchinensis (the latter character is not very useful for ID).

Your puffer is so M. turgidus I'd put it in the Pufferpedia.

Good eye, I completely missed the snout UGH. I can only use the "still learning" excuse hehe. Very educational actually, thanks

Corvus, Would you mind taking a peek at my post about the porcupine I posted earlier, I'd appreciate your advice.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=27549

[CyberBob]

Ohh ok. I now think this is an abei puffer too because the store list it as "mekong" puffer. According to pufferpedia, distribution for abei is S.E. Asia; Mekong river basin. They just name the puffer after the location?

I think most if not all target puffers come from that region actually. I haven't checked them all though
sorry about the bad ID. I still see a couple things that has me wondering, but it's almost definetly a brown.

[eieio]

"Opinions are like Butts ... Everyone Has One (But Most Stink)"
hehe..........

[Corvus]

One problem with target puffer ID is that the data and information needed is not found on the internet (at least this very site offers some of it; a German site with similar topic also does), but only in a few books and scientific papers not available as pdf, yet. The aqualog also just gives an overview. I always try to look up the original description when IDing an unclear fish. Very helpful for the target group.... (and if you are wrong you can try blaming the scientist who wrote up the description ).

Another problem is that this group still needs some taxonomic work to clarify how many species there actually are and in cases what their proper name is following the international code of nomenclature. Common names like Mekong puffer or Brown puffer can be used as you wish as long as you are not misleading people, but there are specific rules for the scientific names.

However, this is a clear case in my opinion.

Feel free to use the search engine for Monotrete or target group as key words. About 4 years ago, I think I wrote some literature lists for those interested in details.

[Terrance]

My friend saw this puffer at the fish store. He sent this to me, and it is labeled "Monotrete Leirus" or "longnose puffer". Is it really a M Leirus?