Red-eye Puffer

Carinotetraodon lorteti

— No votes yet Rate it

Other names: Red-bellied puffer, Lorteti

Group: Oddballs and specialty fish · Family: Tetraodontidae · Origin: Southeast Asia — Indochina (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam)

A 6 cm freshwater puffer with red eyes; males have a blood-red belly and a skin ridge on the back that they can raise. It is a territorial snail hunter.

Will it suit my tank?

Last updated October 16, 2026

Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: 4–12 dGH
Adult size: 6 cm
Minimum tank size: 60 liters
Social structure: Harem (one male, several females)
Male–female ratio: 1 erkek : 2 dişi
Swimming zone: Middle
Diet: Carnivore
Breeding: Egg scatterer

Water parameters

Temperature24–28°C

pH6.5–7.5

General hardness (GH)4–12 dGH

Recommended range

Fin nipper Eats shrimp Eats snails Suitable for planted tanks

Overview

October 16, 2026 · Suggest an edit

The red-eye puffer is a fully freshwater puffer that lives in the slow-flowing, planted waters of Indochina. Males stand out with their dark backs and bright red bellies; when excited they raise the skin ridge running along the back and belly. Females are plain, with dark spots on a light brown background. It stays around 6 cm.

Tank Setup

October 16, 2026 · Suggest an edit

At least 60 liters for 1 male and 2 females; dense plants and sight barriers.
25–27°C, soft to moderately hard water close to neutral.
Puffers are very messy; a powerful filter and 30% water changes every week.
More than one male fights constantly in a small tank.

Diet

October 16, 2026 · Suggest an edit

Carnivorous. It is fed snails, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and mysis; it usually refuses dry food. Snails are essential for wearing down the teeth.

Behavior and Compatibility

October 16, 2026 · Suggest an edit

A territorial fish that lies in ambush and attacks suddenly; it nips fins and hunts shrimp and snails.

Good companions: it is best kept with its own kind, in a harem setup.

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

A short profile for this species

The Red-eye Puffer page has the basics, but the sections below have not been written yet. If you keep this species, write a section from your own experience; it will be published under your name after editor approval.

Natural Habitat Group and Colony Structure Breeding Health and Common Problems Sexing

Tank mates

This list is calculated automatically from the species profile and grows as new species are added to the catalog. Try it in the planner for a definite answer.