The Puffer Forum

hi, guys I'm new on here and i just need to ask you puffer experts a question, I've been on the lookout for some puffers and I've just picked up two Bronze puffers, Tetrodon Naritus. I was a bit unsure as to the temperament of this one so i took a chance and got two, however, the smaller of the two seems to be doing a bit of chasing, now this could calm down, but does anyone have any experience with these.

Would i have been better just getting one, or is there a chance that they will co-exist

thanks for your help

Neil

I have no experience with Xenopterus Naritus, however aggression to conspecifics is quite normal, Auriglobus Modestus and Silus look similar to yours and can be quite aggressive to each other. Usually seperation must happen before one is killed off or they are both injured.

If your puffer is Xenopterus Naritus and fishbase is correct these puffers get to about 12". What size tank were you thinking for them.

Also have you got any pics, i'd love to see them.

X. naritus, if it really is them, are big nasties. They are much chunkier than the Auriglobus sp. puffers (built more like the GSPs and Ceylons), not so active when young as Auriglobus are, similar activity levels as adults (not unlike the lurker type predators).

I have not seen one of these in a long time, they have never been common in captivity. Interesting fish, accounts of handling and diet would be good to share on their long-term care.

they are definitely naritus, at least as far as i can tell, they are definitely on the bronze end of the colour scale, but do have a green tint, I'll get some pics and post them asap, they are in a very well planted rio 180 at the moment but as and when they need to , i can move them into a 4x2x2, if anyone is in Yorkshire, and you want to know where, i got them from, he still has some left.

these guys really are amazing snail hunters, i purposely let the tank get overrun, but in 4 hours i cannot see any left alive!!

Nice. Always interested in puffers that are uncommon in the fish market.

Sounds like you've got everything under control with tanks for them, looking forward to the pics. Always nice to see some rare puffers turning up on here.