Guineafowl Puffer

The guineafowl puffer takes its name from the feathers of the guineafowl, after the small white spots that cover its dark body from head to tail. Some individuals are entirely golden yellow or blotched yellow and black; these color forms are sold in the trade under a separate name ("golden puffer") at a high price. In the wild it feeds mainly on the tips of branching corals and, to a lesser extent, on sponges, mollusks and tunicates; in the aquarium it adapts to shell-on seafood. Toxin note: Its skin and internal organs contain tetrodotoxin; it must never be eaten. Specimens are wild-collected.

• At least 1000 liters for an adult; very strong filtration and a protein skimmer.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Firmly secured rocks, a protected heater and protected cables.
• Not reef-safe: It eats stony corals, zoanthids, shrimp, crabs and snails.

Omnivorous. Offer shell-on mussels, oysters, shrimp, squid, krill and seaweed; shelled foods are essential to wear down its constantly growing teeth. Adults are fed 3–4 times a week.

A calm, curious fish that recognizes its keeper. It may bite the fins of slow-swimming or long-finned fish.

Good companions: Large, fast fish: large tangs, large angelfish, foxface, calm triggerfish, moray eels.

Avoid: Corals and invertebrates, small and slow fish, small aquariums.