Edit Tetraodon biocellatus

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Name

Scientific name

Tetraodon biocellatus

Described by

Not recorded

Family

Tetraodontidae

Common names

Figure Eight Puffer

Photograph credits

All 2 credited

Summary

The figure eight puffer, Tetraodon biocellatus, is a small puffer from Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia. It lives in rivers and coastal wat…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

80mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 75 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–26°C, pH 6.5–7.5

Hardness

5–12dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not recorded

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Not recorded

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Inhabits rivers and coastal waters. It's found most often in freshwater, but also occurs frequently in brackish conditions.

Aquarium size

75 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm - ~68 litres.

Maintenance

Best kept in a heavily-planted setup with twisted roots and branches to provide additional cover, although soft-leaved plants may be chewed by the fish. Leave …

Water conditions

Temperature: 22 – 26 °C pH: 6.5-7.5 Hardness: 5-12°H

Diet

Relishes all kinds of shellfish, as well as worms and other live and frozen foods. It should be fed snails and unshelled shellfish (such as crab legs, prawns e…

Behaviour and compatibility

Can be kept in a community tank, but caution should be exercised when choosing tankmates, as it tends to nip the fins of slow-moving or long-finned fish. In fr…

Sexual dimorphism

Almost impossible to sex by external means. Adult females may grow larger than males.

Reproduction

Not thought to have been bred in the hobby. Apparently, it's a substrate spawner and the male exhibits some degree of brood care.

Notes

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, alth…

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 2 or 3 times its normal size, big enough to scare away many potential predators, or difficult to swallow.

Puffers also have several other interesting adaptations. They are one of the few fish that can actually blink or close their eyes, which only serves to add further charm to what is already a fish with bags of character. They also have beak-like mouthparts, which are formed by a fusing of 2 teeth from each jaw (hence Tetraodon). These are used to crush shelled invertebrates, the favourite food of most puffers.

Many parts of the body of puffers contain the deadly neurotoxin tetrodoxin. This is the same poison 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 is over 1000 times deadlier than cyanide. Grotesquely, the victim usually remains conscious as he or she becomes paralysed. It's a famous delicacy in Japan, but is prepared only by highly-trained chefs, and even then many people have died from eating it. This need not worry you, but if you need to get rid of your puffer, sell it on: getting the barbecue out is not recommended!

T. biocellatus is one of the more commonly seen puffers in the trade, but is not really suitable for the general aquarist due to its dietary requirements and need for very high quality water. When kept correctly it's a charming little fish that can show real personality.

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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 pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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References

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Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References