The Puffer Forum

I'm hoping someone can help me out with identifying the species of these two puffers. C. epilamprus, C. solandri, C. margaritata, C. papua, C. compressa, and C. amboinensis are all so similar!

I'm tentatively calling this one C. solandri because he doesn't have the bright yellow belly of margaritatus or epilamprus or the spot pattern of papua or compressa, and his "nose" isn't rounded like amboinensis. He's about 4" in these pictures.





I'm tempted to call this one C. epilamprus (or possibly margaritata? or even solandri?). I'm ruling out papua, compressa, and amboinensis for the reasons listed above.





What do you think?

Thanks,

Laura

I think they both may be C.solandri. The first one definitely looks to be. Are these your Puffs? Are they in different tanks?

Sorry in advance, but this is a long story . Yes, they both are/were mine. My now hubby, then boyfriend and I have always been into puffers. At the time of the top picture, we also had a C. jactator (in the same tank with a divider) and a C. valentini (in another tank), as well as a 10 gallon with dwarf puffs and a 30 gallon brackish with a green spotted. All of the tanks were in his garage apartment, where the thermostat was controlled by our neighbors in the house. One week in the middle of summer they decided to go on vacation and leave the AC off. We lost everything. I liked all of the puffs, but the C. solandri was MY puffer (I'm sure fellow puff addicts can understand). He was the only one that "called my name" in the fish store--I couldn't leave without him. I've never taken the loss of a fish so hard.

We decided not to get more tanks until we had our own home. When we got settled a few months ago, we set up his 100 gallon freshwater with wild-caught Astronotus sp. "Venezuela." I didn't think I would ever want another puffer; I had seen plenty of tobies in stores and they just didn't do anything for me. But when I saw this one, it was like Tristan all over again--he reminded me so much of my big guy. Right now, he's in my 10 gallon quarantine. The plans are for a 30 gallon or a 45 gallon breeder for him in the next couple of weeks. Anyways, I bought him because I was sure he was a solandri--I've never seen one so similar to Tristan--but now that I have home and can really see his yellow belly, I'm not so sure. He's still an awesome little fish, and I'm more than willing to forego my plans for a reef tank to have him!

Thanks for your input!

Laura

I agree they are both the same type of fish one jst has a draker coloration to it or is stressed more etc

w/e the reason these puffers are great but they do need space that 100 is enough for them but not by much without serious filtration.

have a great time with them im sure they will be very entertaining as most tobies are.

No matter which he is, he's gorgeous!

Thanks! This is his second full day here and he's eating mysis and Formula One like a champ!

Laura

Very handsome. Glad to hear he's settling in and stuffing himself already.
Pami.

Sorry to bump my own post, but I took some better pictures. From these pics, he really does look more like a solandri. Still taking opinions, suggestions, other references, crystal balls . . .







Thanks for the help so far!

Laura

Looks like he'd glow in the dark!

He's a very handsome C.soladri.

Thanks! Can you tell me how you know? I'd really like to learn how to ID them myself. I'm thinking some of it is belly color (more white and less yellow) and the snout shape (more abrupt "stop" after eyes, little forehead sloping, shorter nose)?

Laura

Stella, I cannot say with 100% certainty that I am correct in my IDs. Snout length, coloration, and pattern can be used to assist in identification. Here is a good article about Tobies and keys to their identification, http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/5/fish You can also find more information and pics by doing a search on webwebmedia.com.

HTH

edit: fixed link

What an awesome article! Thanks so much for posting it. I can't believe I haven't come across it before in my searching. I am definitely agreeing with you now that both are most likely C. solandri.

Laura

You're welcome! Glad I could help. I try to keep updated on info regarding Tobies and a few other fish that pique my interest. I've been considering keeping Tobies for the last few years but I just keep adding tanks with other things. I've run out of space… …for now. Good luck with your beautiful fish! I'd love to see more pics.

The first one photo definitely looks to be a C.solandri but in the others photo looks to be a C.papua.

This is my C.solandri..