Green Puffer

The green puffer is a close relative of the green spotted puffer and is sold in stores mixed up with it. The dark spots on its back are larger and sparser, and with age they can merge into blotches. It reaches around 15 cm. It is not a freshwater fish: it lives in river mouths and in the long term stays healthy only in brackish water.

• At least 200 liters for a single adult.
• Brackish water made with marine aquarium salt: a specific gravity of around 1.005 for juveniles, gradually raised to 1.010–1.015 for adults; use a refractometer to measure it.
• A powerful filter and 30–40% water changes every week; puffers are very messy.
• Rock and root decor; plants that tolerate brackish water (Java fern, anubias).

Carnivorous. Hard foods such as snails, mussels and shell-on shrimp are essential for wearing down the teeth; vary the diet with frozen bloodworms, mysis and krill.

Intelligent and curious, but it becomes very aggressive as it grows; it nips fins and hunts shrimp, snails and small fish.

Good companions: the safest option is to keep it alone.

Avoid: freshwater community fish, shrimp, snails, slow and long-finned species, other puffers.