The Puffer Forum

http://dwarfpuffers.com/ (You have to click on "Scientific Names" at the top - the link is weird.)

Perhaps this should be covered in the PufferPedia?

I believe it's still just speculation in terms of whether or not they require a different classification, or if they're simply a variant of each other. Remember, Dwarf Puffers are now bred, so we're bound to see a plethora of variants and mutations as time progresses. There's no real need to mention the minute differences, especially since our PufferPedia only covers the very basic care required, and both "kinds" of DP are similar-looking enough that people won't be confused.

That's my two cents, at least.

I thought it might be helpful for people who hear multiple things to say something along the lines of "there's speculation, blah, blah, but don't worry about it, the differences aren't important" you know? But if there's no controversy over this as I thought there might be, then never mind.

I wasn't trying to imply that it wasn't important, just that it doesn't really apply to the PufferPedia if they aren't a different variant.

As it stands, we don't have entries for a few puffer species that look are very close, but have different scientific names (such as Carinotetraodon somphongsi, for instance).

I admin at http://www.dwarfpuffers.com and I tell people to just assume there is no difference, because if there is, we don't really know it. I have seen DPS that look one way when young, but totally different a year later, and other DPs which looked very similar throughout their life, most of the time - but under specific conditions totally change patterns. One of my large dwarf puffers, when moved to a VERY bright tank with tons of red plants, went from having nearly solid blue coloration to a shade that much better matches the new tank and shows more stripes/spots. Another dwarf puffer, going through the same move, has the exact same colors he's always shown, olive, with lots of little black dots and an especially bright belly.