The Puffer Forum

As the title states, I know this is a tired topic but here goes...

As with many puffer newbies who start out with an A. modestus, I got a bit confused when I tried to ID this fish before I bought it.

I know the Xenopterus is hardly ever seen and not much is known about it.

I looked at this site and several others to help ID this fish. All common sense says it is an A. modestus, but in the back of my head, I still wonder.

Puffernet has this for the Xenopterus. (I have read here that Puffernet is not great for fish ID).

Puffernet uses the same photo for A. modestus seen on Fishbase.

Fishbase has a blurry photo for Xenopterus here.

It has an old post mortem mount photo for A. modestus in the profile here.

So, which is correct? I was able to get a decent photo of my fish:



Sorry to dig this all up, but I saw only a couple threads concerning the differences. Fishbase was referenced as (I think) a reliable resource.

Thanks,
Ted

Sure looks identical to my modestus, although I've never seen a live xenopterus. Either way, no tank mates are recommended. If it grows much larger than around 4", then you can safely assume it's a xenopterus.

Yeah, I don't plan on any tank mates for it. In fact, there are a few mollies in there that I am planning on getting rid of.

I know it really does not matter a whole lot. But the difference between a 4" and a 7" fish is fairly substantial. I want to be sure I am giving this fish what it needs.

Thanks,
Ted

Thats very intresting, because the A.Modestus at my LFS thats labeled "XLG. golden puffer" is definitely larger then 4", could it be a xenopterus?

After reading this i definitely think ill get this puff.


-John

From the little I have heard of Xenopterus, it is big and nasty, but I do not know of anyone who has had one.

The Auriglobus species known are small, Xeneopterus is not, so a large "golden" or bronze just might be the bigger nasty.

Anybody who gets and keeps one, please do lots of photos and kep a log so that we can all share - pretty please...
:3:

Yeah, I am definitely not seeing "nasty" in this fish.

Thanks,
Ted

Hmm, define "nasty", the "XLG.golden puffer" at my LFS goes after my finger if i put my finger in front of the glass. I just started cycling a tank for him, and saving my money for him. If it is a xenopterus, i will most definitely keep a log and photograph it like crazy. I would be most honored to be making puffer history by keeping and identifying this fish. It is my dream to one day write a book about puffers, because there is such misconception about these fish. I am currentlly studdying as a graphic designer, 3D artist, writer, illustrator, and game designer.( and of course, Icthyologist, as fish keeping and fishing are 2 of my favorite hobbys, infact ive even considered majoring in marine biology, or Icthyology.


-John

My modestus only lets a 6" royal pleco live in his tank. Killed every large cichlid I tried w/him. Wouldn't let a smaller modestus live there either. He's about 3 1/2-4" now.

My LFS claims to have xenopterus. I wonder if they are actually modestus. The tag on the tank says they reach 12", though. So maybe someone did some research?

LisaLisa and I saw some large bronze puffers @ the BA a few weeks back...they were quite large...maybe they were the big nasty too. Those are the only modestus looking puffers that I have ever seen - so I have nothing to compare their size to.

If you are reading this LL - what do you think we saw?

I have heard that the big nasty is not as laterally compressed as the Auriglobus (which to me are noticeably so), but I don't know if that is valid - it is second-hand info.

i keep looking at all the modestus looking puffers i see and try to find one that looks different. How ever all the ones i see are small so i'm not sure any difference would be noticeable. Would be great to raise one up though and get some positive ID'd pics on the species.

Jason

Now you guys have me wondering, there were some quite large "bronze" puffers at one of the local stores. I'll have to go back and see if they are still there, and check their lengths.

I have a large golden puffer, but im sure its a modestus. ( see "hunting modestus!" in the pufferpics section)