FishChecker

The Green Spotted Puffer (Tetraodon nigroviridis) is a highly distinctive and engaging, yet challenging, species perfectly suited for the advanced aquarist. Renowned for its vibrant iridescent green spots dappled across a golden-yellow to olive-green body, it presents a truly striking appearance in the aquarium. These intelligent fish typically grow to about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) in captivity, necessitating a spacious and well-established aquarium. Critically, the Green Spotted Puffer is a brackish water fish that undergoes a significant physiological transition; while juveniles are often found in freshwater, they require increasingly brackish to even full marine conditions as they mature. Maintaining the correct specific gravity (SG 1.005-1.022, gradually increasing with age) is paramount for their long-term health and vibrant coloration. They are voracious carnivores with continuously growing teeth, mandating a diet rich in hard-shelled foods such as snails, mussels, shrimp, and other crustaceans to prevent dental overgrowth, which can lead to starvation if not addressed. Their temperament is intensely aggressive and territorial; they are notorious fin-nippers and will often attack and consume other fish, making a species-only tank or an extremely carefully selected community with similarly robust, fast-moving, and non-overlapping niche species almost a necessity. Excellent filtration, stable brackish water parameters, and plenty of hiding spots with decor like rocks, caves, and durable plants are essential to minimize stress and provide environmental enrichment. When threatened, they are capable of inflating their bodies with water or air as a remarkable defense mechanism. With proper care, these unique and interactive puffers can live for 10 years or more, offering an incredibly rewarding experience to the dedicated hobbyist.

Must have brackish water, moving to full marine as an adult. Species-only.