Freshwater Puffer Availability/Seasonality

[mikeclfs]

Does anyone have a good idea when the various freshwater puffers are "in season" (i.e. readily available for purchase)? I've been looking for a T. Miurus, but several LFS have told me that they are out of season and probably won't be available until late spring. On the other hand, fahakas seem to be quite plentiful now (but were hard to find a few months ago), and GSP's/Figure 8/DP's seem to be available year-round.

Is the seasonality of various fishes primarily due to breeding patterns (e.g. perhaps the fish move to shallower water to breed, and that's when they are caught?)

[suvattii2012]

Does anyone have a good idea when the various freshwater puffers are "in season" (i.e. readily available for purchase)? I've been looking for a T. Miurus, but several LFS have told me that they are out of season and probably won't be available until late spring. On the other hand, fahakas seem to be quite plentiful now (but were hard to find a few months ago), and GSP's/Figure 8/DP's seem to be available year-round.

Is the seasonality of various fishes primarily due to breeding patterns (e.g. perhaps the fish move to shallower water to breed, and that's when they are caught?)

I live in England but lurkers are not many places here. No were in my city they sell any lurker puffers.

[RTR]

That is where having a real LFS rather than a chain pays off. Mine lets me know when "oddball" (to the general public) fish are available. I can scan the wholesalers and importers list anytime. Most chains never even see those, only the corporate list.

But I do consult for the owner, and get most things through that LFS. While I was recently hospitalized, the owner helped my wife (total and unwilling absolute novice) and niece (adequate if not highly experienced hobbyist) with the tanks. No charge! I did offer.

[Pufferpunk]

Mine is always telling me when they see cool FW puffers at the supplier.

[CoCoPuffs]

The only one i have seen is the Arrowhead this winter....