Buying a Freshwater Puffer Fish – 5 Facts to Know

Buying a Freshwater Puffer Fish

Can I buy a puffer fish?

Pufferfish are available for purchase at Petco, and they make excellent pets. Saltwater pufferfish are a fascinating species with a variety of defence systems that are unique to them.

While pufferfish pets are not recommended for first-time fish pet parents, experienced aquarists will like their pufferfish companions and will appreciate developing a dynamic relationship with them.

When buying a freshwater pufferfish, there are several factors to consider. The first consideration is the type of aquarium it needs to live in. 

Puffers grow at different rates, and you should choose one that will thrive in your system. Some examples of these fish are the Fahaka Puffer, Red-Eye Puffer, and MBU Puffer.

Read on for more information. Consult a fish expert if you’re not sure what type of freshwater pufferfish you should get.

Fahaka Puffer

The fahaka pufferfish, also known as the Nile puffer, globefish, or lineages, is a tropical freshwater poker fish that is native to West Africa and the upper Nile basin.

It is also found in the Volta and Turkana basins in West Africa. The name fahaka comes from its common name, which means “fake.”

This beautiful fish resembles a miniature version of a giant squid. Fahaka Puffer is very sensitive to poor water quality, and high mechanical and biological filtration systems are necessary. Good husbandry is also necessary. 

Frequent water changes are necessary to keep nitrate levels below 15 ppm. A 50% water change is recommended at least once a week. Fahaka Puffer is an excellent aquarium pet, but they do require careful attention.

The Fahaka Puffer is a beautiful freshwater pufferfish that can grow to three inches in length. It is native to Africa and is a good choice for aquarists who want to add a unique and beautiful addition to their aquarium. 

While the Fahaka Puffer can be pricey, it’s worth the investment to get a healthy specimen with no signs of disease.

it’s important to note that a bill was introduced to ban many aquarium fish and animals from the United States. The bill passed the House in February 2022 and is currently in the U.S. Senate.

The Red Eye Puffer Fish

This species is fairly peaceful and easy to keep in a home aquarium. The red-eye puffer has a unique reticulated pattern and is usually kept in small groups. They require a lot of room to swim around and need a moderately filtered tank with gentle water movement.

Aside from their red eyes, the Red Eye Puffer also has distinctive horizontal stripes. These stripes and their spotted pattern make them easy to spot in the aquarium.

The Red-Eye Puffer is a species of dwarf puffer. It is found in warm, acidic water and usually forms loose aggregations. 

The Red-Eye Puffer is not as social as other freshwater puffer species and will not be as happy living in a large community tank. 

A good habitat for Red Eye Puffers will include a soft water tank with minimal movement and lots of hiding places for hiding. 

In addition, a few Indian Almond Leaves will help the Red Eye Puffer feels comfortable and at home.

MBU Puffer Fish

MBU Pufferfish are very similar to their smaller cousins in appearance. Their body is deep olive-green with a soft yellow belly and a pronounced pattern of random swirls. 

Their oblong silhouette and asymmetrical fin structures are also highly distinctive. In addition to a pronounced striped pattern, the Mbu puffer has a shorter caudal fin and small, semi-transparent fins.

If you decide to keep MBU puffers in freshwater, you must first ensure that the tank is large enough to accommodate its size. 

These fish require at least 600 gallons of water. The tank’s width is almost as important as its length because they will struggle to turn around if the aquarium is too narrow. 

Therefore, the minimum tank size for these fish is eight feet by three feet by four feet. However, if you plan to keep your Mbu puffers in a larger tank, consider getting an aquarium that holds 900 gallons or more.

The MBU Puffer Fish

These are well-known playful and intelligent fish species. It can learn to recognize its owner and may startle the owner by inflating itself. It has a very unique personality and likes to explore.

In addition to grazing on vegetation, it enjoys a solitary existence. Although they are friendly with other animals, MBU Puffers can be aggressive. However, beware of the many misconceptions surrounding MBU Pufferfish.

The Congo Puffer

The name “Freshwater Congo Puffer” comes from two ancient Greek words – tetraodon and schoutedeni. The fish is found in the Lower Congo river system. Its habitat is the Pool Malebo, which is 500 square kilometres with varying depths from three to 10 meters.

This fish has a delicate beak and needs to be trimmed often. If you’re worried that this species is too small for your tank, try feeding it snails.

The sex of the Spotted Congo Puffer is difficult to identify visually. The male is streamlined and shorter than the female. When the female reaches sexual maturity, she will bulge at the belly.

The male will chase the female while the female guards the belly when mating. If you’re unsure which one is male, try observing the Spotted Congo Puffer’s behaviour. It’s not unusual for males to chase the female during courtship and guard her belly.

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