Figure eight puffer

Care at a glance

The figure eight puffer from South-East Asia owes its name to the pale markings on its back, in which, with some imagination, a figure eight can be made out. It comes from river mouths where fresh and salt water mix, and many keepers give it slightly brackish water.

Its teeth grow continuously and must be worn down, so feed shelled snails or other hard foods regularly. It is curious and full of character but nips fins, and shrimp and ornamental snails it simply treats as a meal; so it is best kept alone or with its own kind.

Good to know

• Preys on shrimp and snails
• Nips long fins
• Territorial

Best not combined with

• GuppyPoecilia reticulata
• Cherry shrimpNeocaridina davidi
• Nerite snail (zebra)Neritina sp.
• Racing nerite snailVittina turrita
• Olive nerite snailNeritina reclivata
• Horned nerite snailClithon corona
• Spixi snail (zebra apple snail)Asolene spixi

Related species

• Green spotted pufferDichotomyctere nigroviridis
• Pea pufferCarinotetraodon travancoricus
• Indian glassfishParambassis ranga
• Leopard bush fishCtenopoma acutirostre
• Elephant nose fishGnathonemus petersii
• Silver arowanaOsteoglossum bicirrhosum