Figure eight puffer
Dichotomyctere ocellatus · Tetraodontidae
Also known as Eyespot puffer
Intermediate
The most tank-friendly puffer: stays small, tolerates low-end brackish and full of personality.
In short: A figure eight puffer needs at least 110 L (29 US gal), water at 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) and pH 7.5–8.2. It is semi-aggressive, usually kept singly, and rated intermediate to keep.
Updated
- Minimum tank
- 110 L (29 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- pH
- 7.5–8.2
- Adult size
- 8 cm (3.1 in)
- Group size
- 1+
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 110 L (29 US gal)
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- pH
- 7.5–8.2
- Hardness
- 10–25 dGH
- Lifespan
- 5–15 years
- Diet
- Carnivore — snails, shell-on shrimp, bloodworm; hard shells keep the teeth trimmed.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Southeast Asia, coastal rivers and estuaries
- Water type
- Brackish
- Biotope
- Tidal river mouths over sand and wood
- Natural conditions
- Specific gravity around 1.005–1.010; warm, hard, well-filtered water.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Minimum group
- 1 fish
- Swims
- All levels
- Good tank mates
- Bumblebee gobyKnight gobyOther figure eights in a large tank
- Avoid
- Long-finned fishShrimpGuppies
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- No reliable external difference.
- Notes
- Very rarely bred in captivity.
- Common ailments
- Overgrown teethInternal parasites from live foodNitrate sensitivity
Will it fit your tank?
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