The Puffer Forum

Found this little one at a fish store. I'm definitely not buying or looking to buy, seeing as the price was in the hundreds, but found it really interesting. Unlike the other puffers, it moved very slowly and didn't really take too much interest in other fish in the aquarium. No one was really able to tell me much about them other than being a Freshwater species, and haven't really found anything online either on what they are like. Does anyone know?

Schoutedeni have visible spines on it's belly. Looks like a baby mbu but I'm sure Corvus will correct me.

oh wow, it does! Had no idea they looked so different as babies vs adults. They said it wouldn't get much bigger, but I guess this means someone will be in for a BIG surprise when it gets huge

I think it's a T. schoutedeni. The baby T. mbu I have seen looked different and had a lateral line on the transition between the body and the sides. Also they did not have the washed out spots on the back.

I don't know where the "visible spines" character comes from. I cannot confirm that for any schoutedeni I have seen in person or on pictures.

Not that I'd be willing to buy it, but where in Germany is this fish sold?

They are more calm than GSPs for example more like M. cochinchinensis. They often get along in small groups and with other fishes of similar size, but not always. Many aquarists have reported they often destroy plants and as far as I remember that was one reason my grandpa did not like them. They were available in trade in the 80s and apparently even have been bred. There was also a report of the recently (last year) imported ones about breeding and larvae, although I don't know if they could raise them.

"They often get along in small groups and with other fishes of similar size, but not always."


I thought Schoutedeni did not get along with their own kind. When you say "small groups," does that mean anywhere between 3-5?

Yes, around 3-5. But I also know of examples where they had to be kept single. Maybe it is a thing of two males vs. one male and several females. Hard to sex them, though.

I would think if you were going to keep a group of them, it would be in a very LARGE tank with a ton of decor, breaking up lines of sight.

I just purchased a Schoutedeni 2 weeks ago. So far it's been peaceful and active. I have it with tetras and platies with no issues so far. I have no idea why but it took a liking to Hikari carnivore pellets.

Could you post a picture? I found a Schoutedeni last month for $400, and I was going to buy it but it had a TON of parasites so I went with my gut and didn't.

Nah don't pay that much for one with parasites. I know a place in queens by that sells them for $250 in good shape.

I attached a photo but it's not showing on the feed. Tried from an iphone

You need to upload your photos here & then link them: www/photobucket.com

Cool!

The reason why I came back to the forum is to try and get some info on this guy. I feed it small clams, snails, blood worms and carnivore pellets. The first two days he was a little shy and was picking at his food but eating very little. Once it took a liking to the pellets he started mowing thru them. It actually seems to like them more than the frozen food. Should I be feeding this puffer every day or is that unhealthy? He looks healthy and definitely got chubbier within the few weeks in which I've had it. I do not feed him snacks throughout the day, I just feed him once at night. I'll post some more pictures tonight.