The Puffer Forum

These were at the LFS. They were labeled as "spotted puffers". GSPS were in a separate tank labled as such. The thing that makes me question is the yellow belly, red eyes, diamond pattern on the head. Also Not sure if the tails are beaten up or if it is fungus. Please let me know what you think.

they are about 4" and in brackish tank

They do look like unhappy GSPs. Do they have the green spot on their heads?

They do look very unhappy.

No green spots on head. Olive drab coloring on top and yellow bellies. Could they be some sort of different variant or are they these colors because they are sick?

Was thinking about grabbing one but don't want to put my two GSPs at risk.

Could it be this they have the spots and red eyes Tetraodon cochinchinensis (fangs puffer)

t has the same dark spot on top of the head same coloring and the red eves just found this pic.

I did notice that & was thinking the same. I'll leave this one up to Corvus. Either way, you need to QT any new fish you buy or suffer the consequences!

Pufferpunk wrote:I did notice that & was thinking the same. I'll leave this one up to Corvus. Either way, you need to QT any new fish you buy or suffer the consequences!

Agreed I was hesitant because of size difference. If it is a sick GSP I could quarantine and medicate but it is 3-4" and both of mine are 1" and smaller. Didn't know if they would become a snack.

If it is a Fang puffer I would stay away because it is fresh water and from what I read not compatible with any other puffers.

If it is a Fang's they need to get it out of BW! Do you know what SG it's in?

M. turgidus would be my first guess.

Corvus wrote:M. turgidus would be my first guess.

what would be the common name?

I also found the twin spot puffer could that be it?



Same family as the fang. Guessing it is some type of target puffer?

I don't care for common names, use what you wish, the only international convention are the scientific names.

See your example "twin spot puffer" which has been used for M. cochinchinensis (also called fang's puffer because M. fangi is an old synonym), but also T. biocellatus (bi-ocellatus literally meaning two eyespots).

Yes, M. turgidus is closely related to the other target puffers, though adult M. turgidus don't have a target.

From time to time this puffer becomes available in trade. You'll find a lot of forum posts.

Corvus wrote:I don't care for common names, use what you wish, the only international convention are the scientific names.

I was asking for common names so I could google it. I googled M. turgidus and I get alot of results for Microphallus turgidus some sort of parasite. Regardless thank you for your help.

There is no good common name which will give you good google hits and the hits include a lot of misidentifications. Mostly the common name "brown puffer" is used for this species, but this does not properly describe its look nor does it separate this species from others in a useful way.

For comparison pictures here are two:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/Pu ... -08-07.jpg
http://freshwaterpufferfish.org/wp-cont ... 00x224.jpg

Here's some brief information:
viewtopic.php?f=38&t=28881

Corvus wrote:There is no good common name which will give you good google hits and the hits include a lot of misidentifications. Mostly the common name "brown puffer" is used for this species, but this does not properly describe its look nor does it separate this species from others in a useful way.

For comparison pictures here are two:
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/Pu ... -08-07.jpg
http://freshwaterpufferfish.org/wp-cont ... 00x224.jpg

Here's some brief information:
viewtopic.php?f=38&t=28881

Thank you very much, very helpful.

I have decided not to get the puffer because it wont go with what I have now, but it was nice discovering a whole new (to me) group of puffers.

The M. is for Monotrete. viewtopic.php?f=38&t=28881