Guinea Fowl Pufferfish (Arothron meleagris)
From The Aquarium Wiki
Guinea Fowl Pufferfish
Dark Phase, puffed up
Arothron meleagris
606 Litres (160 US G.)
38.1-50.8cm (15-20 ")
8.2 - 8.5
22.2-23.9°C (72 -75 °F)
8-12 °d
1:1 M:F
5-8 years
Family
Tetraodontidae
Contents
Additional names
- Guineafowl Puffer, Whitespotted Puffer, Golden Puffer, Spotted Puffer
Additional scientific names
- Tetraodon meleagris, Arothron ophryas, Ovoides latifrons, Tetraodon lacrymatus
Origin
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This section requires expansion with: Location where this animal is found in the wild. |
Sexing
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This section requires expansion with: Methods for differentiating male and females. |
Tank compatibility
- Not reef safe, will eat hard corals and invertebrates. Best in a large fish-only aquarium with similar sized peaceful yet robust fish.
Diet
- This Puffer requires a varied diet of meaty foods including squid, krill, clams, and hard shelled shrimp to help wear down their ever growing teeth.
Feeding regime
- Most active during the night and therefore is best fed after lights out.
Environment Specifics
- Requires a large wide tank with very secure live rock to provide hiding places.
Behaviour
- It will likely become alarmed and puff up when in a net, therefore, use a container to transfer it.
Identification
- A large and distinctive Puffer which changes appearance during different stages of its life. While in the black phase, it is black with white spots over the entire body. It's this colouration that gives it its common name as it resembles the colours of a Guinea Fowl bird. The golden phase is denoted by its rich burgundy to golden tan colouring with smaller white spots covering its body. It also has a yellow phase, during which, it is lacking the white spots. It very rarely changes phases while living in an aquarium.
- The Golden Puffer lacks pelvic fins, but is very maneuverable, using its pectoral, dorsal, and anal fins. Instead of "teeth," it has a fused beak-like structure which it uses to crush prey.
Pictures
Yellow Phase
Dark Phase
External links
- Fishbase (Mirrors:
)
