The Puffer Forum

Hi!

I have a question. The Tetraodon cutcutia has a black spot on the second half of it's body.
Is this a puffer from the target group?

Who has more information about these puffers?

It does share some of the characteristics of the Target family, however I am unsure of whether it is a true member of this group but you would think so from the target spot which they all share.

I know what you meen.
There's not much information about these species.

Another question. It's common name is 'seafrog' but why? Everybody keeps it in fresh water?

Some sites say it's a brackish puffer. What are your thoughts?

There are some weird common names for puffers. God knows where they come up with them. A lot of freshwater puffers are reported as brackish but if I got hold of one I would treat it as fresh. If it is a genuine member of the target family they are all fresh and I would treat it the same.

I'd put it in the "target group", which is an informal category anyway. It just means small Asian freshwater puffers that might have a target spot... it's of no taxonomic significance, but neat for everyday use.

Thnx for the quick reactions both of you.

What makes a target a target? Most targets are caught in the same area, the cutcutia is not...

Plus I've found somewhere (don't know where anymore, when I find it I will post it) that all targets will at least grow 15cm.

The possible target spots (eye spot) as well as the specific type of nostrils are what makes a target puffer. I don't think size matters. Given this puffer is reported from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, the Malay archipelago and the Mekong, it shares some geographic distribution with other species generally counted to this group. With regard to many characters this species is more similar to other target group species than other Asian puffers e.g. Carinotetraodons oder the fluviatilis/nigroviridis group.

I have a cutcutia and I think they are very pretty puffers, when you can see them. I believe another common name for them is "Emerald puffer". I just moved mine to a tank where I can watch him closer, but given his colour and his ability to hide well, it's difficult to find him sometimes.

Ah okay,
I've never had one myself would like one to.. But they are not very common in holland..

Thanks for the information!

They aren't really the type of puffer you see often, at least not around here.