Pufferfish Humpback XL

Puffer Humpback is a freshwater puffer that can be a challenge to keep but they are very rewarding for experienced aquarists.  They are aggressive, should be kept alone and can grow to over 19 cm in length.

They originate from Thailand, Laos, Malaysia and Indonesia.  These fish inhabit freshwater streams, slow-moving rivers and ponds unlike their cousins that require brackish water.

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 it’s normal size, which makes the fish both big enough to scare away many potential predators, and difficult to swallow.

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 it 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.

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Behaviour

The Humpback Puffer is not very active and some only become active when food is being offered.  This makes them most suitable for a true enthusiast.

Since they are territorial and adults get quite large, it is best to either keep either a single Humpback Puffer or a group of 5 or more.  If keeping only a small number together, they would be more aggressive toward each other and a larger number would allow the aggression to be spread out.  They are known to be veracious fin nippers.

Tank Conditions

Generally, freshwater puffer fish need a well planted aquarium with plenty of crevices and hiding places.  They appreciate cover as unlike some other species of predatory puffers it doesn’t tend to burrow into the substrate. Pieces of driftwood, large rocks, rocky caves and other shady hiding spots.

Lighting should not be too bright, and the substrate should be smooth because of the puffers will spend the majority of their time laying on it almost motionless. However, they soon learn when it is time for feeding and will venture out in a very eager fashion when the keeper approaches the tank.

A double filtration system with heaters is recommended.

Compatibility

The Humpback Puffer is an ambush predator which does best maintained in an spacious aquarium with it’s own species –  If there is plenty of space they could sometimes be kept with some large armoured catfish species or other puffer species (similar in temperament and size), but keep an eye on them to make sure that they get along well. They are not suitable for keeping with small fish as these will quickly become a snack.

They will show a different temperament during different life stages. So, even if they are good community fish when they are juveniles they can become very aggressive during adulthood.

Feeding

They enjoy 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, mussels etc.) regularly, in order to maintain its sharp teeth. As with other puffers, their teeth grow continuously and become a problem for the fish if they’re not kept ground down. It can be difficult to get them to accept dead foods initially, but given patience they can take to them.  The Humpback Puffer doesn’t need daily feeding because they are not very active. Every other day is fine for juvenile fish, while adults require only one or two feeds a week.

Care

Puffer fish are generally very sensitive to deteriorating water conditions and very susceptible to levels of nitrate, nitrite and ammonia in the water. They also produce a lot of waste and so a good filter is mandatory with a suggested 50% water changed weekly.