The Puffer Forum

In the puffer-pedia the Takifugu Ocellatus is in the marine section. But the LFS near me has them in freshwater and told me they're a brackish species. Rather than buy one I came here to read a bit. Limited success in aquariums.

There are about 15 of them in close quarters and all but one or two have nipped tailfins. I assume they've been nipping each other. Should I assume these fish are done for and not buy one? I am a novice puffer keeper with two brackish tanks, and zero full marine experience.

Are they a full-marine species that tolerates freshwater when juvenile? They use the english name "saddle puffer" and a variant latin "ocellatus fugu". The saddle like markings are exactly as shown in one of the Takifugu pics.

Warren

According to this thread, the information here in the puffer-pedia is WRONG about Takifugu.

http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=154790

According to this poster, the Takifugu Ocellatus (alias Peacock puffer, in his area) is a subtropical estuarine fish that requires low temperatures (below 64F) and moderate brackish salinity (~1.01sg).

Who is right? PufferPedia here, or this guy. He sounds like he knows what he's talking about.

Warren

I think they're supposed to go full marine as adults? Similar to GSPs maybe? Yunachin?

This is definately not a novice fish. Althought we are learning more about them (needing cooler temps, for 1 thing) even most puffer expets have trouble keeping them alive for more than a few months. It seems just one day they up & die. That thread was from 2 years ago. I'd be curious as to whether their fugu is still alive & swimming. Yunachin here has kept her for quite some time I believe, in cool SW. Check the prices of chillers too.

Pufferpunk wrote:This is definately not a novice fish. Althought we are learning more about them (needing cooler temps, for 1 thing) even puffer expets have trouble keeping them alove for more than a few months. It seems just one day they up & die. That thread was from 2 years ago. I'd be curious as to whether their fugu is still alive & swimming. Yunachin here has kept her for quite some time I believe, in cool SW. Check the prices of chillers too.

Yeah, I have always considered them to be a more advanced species. All I know about them is cold saltwater, and commonly available

realy the one i have is the second one i have seen in my life time, and i would remember a fish like this. i have been going in and out of fish stores sense i was like 4, this is the second on ive seen. . i agree on the care level though im not quite in over my head but this puffer has allot i have to be care full about

I have yet to view one with my own eyes but do read way too often about them being available.

Unfortunately, I see them all the time in SoCal. They are easy to get ahold of

that is sad

jimi wrote:that is sad

I find it even sadder that I have seen Arapaima Gigas at multiple Fish Stores. Other than JohnPTC, I do not know a single local fish keeper with a display tank or pond big enough to hold them. Although it is getting better, I still see RTCs every once in a while.

Takifugus are more common than GSPs in most fish stores I have seen lately. Gratefully, I have only seen Fahakas once and I have never actually seen a Mbu for sale.

ohh dear i am thinking that in your place i would find it extremely hard to support your lfs

Not really, if I see a tankfull of RTCs, I usually tell the management.

Thanks for the heads-up guys. The chiller requirement (to keep the water below ambient air temperatures) is the killer expense. So, basically these fish are 99% likely to be sold to someone, and die off quickly. Sad, very sad.

W

That's about it, I'm afraid...

The majority of the information out there about them isn't effective. Only recently have hobbyist learned that this species requires a much colder temperature versus some of the other takifugu species. Coming from a colder area of Asia, China, and Vietnam they are most likely sold in freshwater due to the fact that they travel inland to spawn in it...returning to full marine after the process. Easier to catch in groups as well during that time I can imagine.
Hopefully over time with my studies and the studies of others that have kept these fish successfully for long periods of time we can get the proper information out to the hobbyist we can eliminate the deaths of these beautiful fish in captivity.