Edit Carinotetraodon travancoricus

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Name

Scientific name

Carinotetraodon travancoricus

Described by

Not recorded

Family

Tetraodontidae

Summary

The dwarf puffer, Carinotetraodon travancoricus, is a tiny freshwater puffer endemic to the state of Kerala in southern India. Also known a…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

25mm, standard length

Tank size

Not recorded

Water

Temperature and pH

Temperature 22–28°C, pH 6.8–8

Hardness

5–25dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries

Not recorded

Supporting text

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Endemic to the state of Kerala, India.

Habitat

An exclusively freshwater species usually inhabiting sluggish, heavily-vegetated inland waters.

Aquarium size

You could keep a single fish in a tank as small as 12" x 8" x 8" 30cm x 20cm x 20cm - 12.6 litres. If you want to keep a group more space is needed. A tank vol…

Maintenance

This species fares best in a heavily-planted setup, perhaps further decorated with twisted roots and branches to provide additional cover. This type of set-up …

Water conditions

Temperature: 22 – 28 °C72 – 82 °F pH: C. travancoricus prefers neutral to medium-hard water, within the range 6.8 - 8.0. Hardness: 5 - 25°H

Diet

As is the case with with most puffers, this species relishes all kinds of shellfish, as well as worms and other live and frozen foods. It should be fed small s…

Behaviour and compatibility

Not usually recommended for the community tank, as it tends to nip the fins of slow-moving or long-finned fish. It's small size also means it doesn't compete w…

Sexual dimorphism

Juveniles are difficult to sex correctly, but mature males have a clear dark line running lengthways over much of the ventral surface (underside), which female…

Reproduction

Unlike many of its relatives, C. travancoricus has been successfully bred in aquaria on numerous occasions. Most experts recommend spawning it in pairs or in a…

Notes

C. travancoricus is probably the smallest species of puffer, and is certainly one of the more diminutive fish regularly found in the trade. It's cute looks, am…

C. travancoricus is probably the smallest species of puffer, and is certainly one of the more diminutive fish regularly found in the trade. It's cute looks, amusing personality and fascinating swimming action make it a justifiably popular import, although it's all-too-often sold without the correct information needed for its long-term health and care. It's also known as the Malabar puffer, in reference to the area of southern India that contains much of the species' natural range.

A possible geographical variant/subspecies/undescribed congener is sometimes available in which the darker markings on the body of the fish are more of a bluey-green colour. Another species, Carinotetraodon imitator is superficial in appearance to C. travancoricus, and is also a sporadic import.

Puffer fish are so called as they have the ability to inflate their elastic stomachs with water or air. This is usually a response to some kind of threat, although in the aquarium many specimens appear to inflate themselves for no apparent reason. The fish becomes two or three times it's normal size, big enough to scare away many potential predators, or difficult to swallow. Puffers are also one of the few fish that can actually blink or close their eyes.

Many parts of the body of puffers contain the potentially deadly poison tetrodoxin. This is the same neurotoxin found in the notorious blue-ringed octopus. When ingested in sufficient quantities it can cause paralysis and death. As yet there is no known antitoxin and to humans it's over 1000 times deadlier than cyanide. Grotesquely, the victim usually remains conscious as he or she becomes paralysed. Puffer flesh is regarded as a delicacy in Japan, where it's known as fugu. It's prepared only by highly-trained chefs, and even with this a number of people have died eating it.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Year

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References

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Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References