The Puffer Forum

How old are Dwarf Puffers before they show their gender markings. I don’t have any ventral stripes yet but I have three with very dark stripes and one, brave puff, who is more blurry and is less defined. I’d like to get a couple more of appropriate genders, but worry that delaying might make them less welcoming to newcomers.

You need the wrinkles behind the male's eyes for proper ID.

I had luck with my female. In the store I could already see her tiny tiny dots. At first I thought it might be a skin condition but she really caught my eye so I chose her. She was definitely still young when I got her as she's only plumping out recently. My male on the other hand didn't show his stripe on his belly until about 2 months after I bought him. I could never see the wrinkle behind the eyes even with reference photos. He's body was more built as well than the female. More lean and long looking rather than plump and round.

The eye wrinkles are the only sure way to sex these fish.