The Puffer Forum

posted about my new puff and was looking around the site and realised my new pal is supposed to be a dog face puffer but he has white spots not black can they have white spots rather than black, worried he is a S&S and cant upgrade to that big can only upgrade to a tank for a dog face worried he will have to go back(bottom lip trembling at the thought) will try to post pictures tomorrow

There are several variants of the arothron nigropunctatus, I have a grey, black and yellow one, some other members have ones that look like dalmations. A picture is the only way to check to see what your new friend is.

Yes, a pic would be best but you can also compare it to the pics in our Pufferpedia.

I have got a photo to post, when I click "TPF Gall Img" I can find my picture but not sure how I make it attach to the post?? Can anyone help please.

Just click at the image, and it will be put into your message.

Your puffer is a Arothron hispidus aka Stars and stripes puffer (I had a look at your gallery).

Beautiful specimen.

Aww, little Hispidus!

I'd hate to see the little fellah go back, especially since he seems like he got a great owner.

What size tank would I need to upgrade to if i was to keep him, need to plead my case with my darling husband, can anybody advise please. He is so lovely would love to be able to keep him

Some advice...The A. Hispidus is a great puffer first off. I received my first one as a "rescue" puffer (local store was closing and owner was a good friend so I actually got quite a few animals-all SW fish) and he was about 1" - seriously a tiny little thing. Well 3 years later, I have upgraded tanks 4 times and he has grown to be approximately 14" (he is the guy in my avatar). He is also a very mean puffer! I have been bitten several times - my fault for not paying attention when feeding - and he requires lots of room.

So to your point, A. Hispidus have a *reported* maximum size of around 23". I have never seen one bigger than mine in captivity although I have seen some pics that indicate they can get much larger in the wild. From my experience and based on my other puffers, they are somewhat slow growers - about 1" every 2-3 months if fed well and water paramters kept up (they are messy so a good protein skimmer is a MUST!!) so I'd say you can upgrade as you go...eventually though you will need a 200G+ tank...yes I know, expensive, large and lots of work but well worth it if you are as crazy as I am about puffers! This is not to say yours needs this right off the bat - a 55G will work fine for a year or so then maybe a 90 then maybe a 135 and so on....

Just my .02 cents!

E

Yay got my photo of The Fonz up well here he is. Thanks guy's, especially schlect13 maybe will do as you advise and upgrade as we go along maybe wont be too much of a shock for my husband I have already realised that when feeding dont put fingers any where near as it seems anything goes wouldn't like to get nip from him the size he is never mind when he is bigger. Do you think I should contact my lfs to tell them that they have wrongly labelled him just in case they do it again?

By all means, do contact them--especially about tank size requirements.

dogtired wrote:Do you think I should contact my lfs to tell them that they have wrongly labelled him just in case they do it again?

Yes, most definitely. Also give them the scientific name, not just Stars & Stripes Puffer. Generally, LFSs appreciate when someone is able to properly label the fish species, assuming your tone is gentle, of course.

Its such a shame when stores dont even know what kind of fish they are selling!!!!
Almost half of my puffers was mislabelled when I bought them. LFSs generally don't have a clue about puffers. Neither does the suppliers...

Aw, what a cutie.

The bonus if you keep him though, if you paid the price of a Dogface vs that of a Stars and Stripes, you probably saved a ton of money!

Personally, I'd just go with the 200 gallon tank right away.. less hassle in the long run for both you and the fish. I don't find the tanks themselves to be too expensive, its the stands that kill you.. so if your hubby is handy maybe he can build a stand? Or someone you know?

dab335 wrote:Its such a shame when stores dont even know what kind of fish they are selling!!!!
Almost half of my puffers was mislabelled when I bought them. LFSs generally don't have a clue about puffers. Neither does the suppliers...

I was able to aquire a C coronata, which was labvled as a Valentini. My LFS did appreciate knowing what it was really called though (I always let them know).