The Puffer Forum

So I went down to Wharf Aquatics today (which is entirely Hilly's fault) to see these cute little puffers. I nearly had myself talked out of getting one before I got there, but once I seen them, I fell in love, as I've never seen anything like them.
These are being sold as Colomesus psittacus, but I am 99.9% sure they aren't.
I originally thought maybe an Arothron species, but I don't think so anymore and so now I've got it narrowed down to two species.
I'm thinking either Sphoeroides annulatus, the Bullseye Puffer (although looking at the photo of this puffer in the Aqualog book, it's lacking a black band that's on the puffer that I have -- so not entirely sold on it being that one, however, I will admit when you look at the puffer dead on from the back, it does sort of look like a bullseye).
Or -- Sphoeroides testudineus, the Turtle Puffer. Now the pattern on the back is a bit different to the puffer I have, but the black band is definitely there. So I guess it's possible. At any rate, I'd be willing to bet money that this is some sort of Sphoeroides species. Aqualog has these puffers listed as brackish, and some have been successfully kept in freshwater from what I've read, but I've put this little guy in the tank with my Ceylons and GSP's. At first I thought I was in real trouble because the Ceylons chased him and it looked as if they were going to nip him, but he was too quick for them and then they lost interest. Even at meal time, they all just ate as they normally would and it's as if he was one of them. He's so darn cute. He ate the food nicely and seemed keen to be with the much bigger puffers as much as possible. I'm sure he's a happy camper in that big tank after being in such a small cubicle at Wharf.

Anyway, here's the mystery puffer --

oooh, booootiful puff!!! No idea what kind it is but it's gorgeous!

OMG! THat is a GORGEOUS puffer!

It looks very close to this: ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Marine/S_Annulatus/

Size: 17 inches.
And its marine

I found this online... if you scroll down it shows six images and you can compare them as they are from two of the types

http://redalyc.uaemex.mx/redalyc/html/4 ... 41211.html

It also goes on to discuss a lot more info about them, I didn't read all of it but just took a quick look at content.

That is very interesting Tara, and if I look closely at my pictures of my guy .... I'd say his pattern is closest to the top puffer, which is Sphoeroides rosenblatti, not annulatus. Thing is, there isn't any information in Aqualog on rosenblatti. Hmmm.... indeed the mystery puffer!!!

*** And, as I read that information, those puffers are found in brackish estuaries, NOT marine waters.

I just did a Google images search for Sphoeroides and then looked through the pictures lol.

I found just a bit more information, but basically all I know is that this puffer is found in brackish estuaries in mangroves and river mouths. Not much else to go on. Leave it to me to find a puffer that's hard to find information on ... but I did read that apparently because this isn't a puffer that's commercially traded much, it's supposed to be expensive. Good thing Wharf don't know what they have.

such a cool looking puff

Thanks, yeah I can't wait to see how he is tomorrow. I've turned the tank lights off for the night (well, it is midnight here). I didn't have much chance to observe him for very long tonight. Just made sure my Ceylons weren't going to kill him and then I had to feed the dogs, feed the puffers, crabs and chameleons, and then before I knew it, it was time for lights off (I try to keep to a specific schedule). So I will be very curious how he is in the morning.

We need Corvus!

Just in case, for when corvus gets here you might want to get some snout, eye and body shape (from the side) pictures..

Nice find!!!!!!!!!!!

You don't need me. You are already right: very likely S. rosenblatti.
It's not rare, but it's mostly identified as S. annulatus.

It stays smaller than S. annulatus, around 22 cm.

About the natural habitat of S. rosenblatti: common at the pacific coasts of Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador. Mangrove forests with marine (or in part higher!) salinity. Researchers have measured up to 50 psu salt in their habitat. Definitely keep it marine if you want long term success.

Also see here (similar information):
http://m1083.biohostnet.de/index.php?id ... 132e72c534

I knew you wouldnt be able to resist one. Although im quite surprised you didnt get the Fugu.

Those Fugu were awesome looking though, and so far, the best looking I've seen. Thing is, they are too aggressive, and since I only have one brackish tank (that will eventually have a higher salinity) I didn't think the Fugu would get on with my Ceylons and GSP's. Not only that, but from what I've heard with other people's experiences, it doesn't sound like the Fugu would last very long.

At least with this Sphoeroides species it's sort of new territory and I might be able to keep it alive a bit longer than I probably would if I had the Fugu. Not only that, but I just could not resist a puffer that I'd not seen or heard of before. I was almost certain when we were at the shop that it wasn't C psittacus because of the lacking of bands over the back, and because it wasn't that expensive, I felt it was worth giving a try.

Looking at him this morning, he seems fine. He's been going around biting at the rocks and ornaments in the tank, but appears to be in good health. Hopefully that will continue and I can see this guy mature and also hope that he continues to get along with my other puffers.

He has gorgeous markings on his back. How much did you pay for him?