Figure 8 pufferfish are very attractive and it’s hard to resist them bringing home. These cute and engaging pufferfish are very easy to maintain which makes them a good choice for keeping in Aquarium. Their compact size and friendly, curious, and entertaining nature make them more desirable. Do you know why these fishes must be kept in a school of at least 8 pufferfishes? It’s so that they don’t get bored. To know more such interesting things about them keep reading the article to know all the important information and details on the figure 8 puffer.
Figure 8 Puffer Fish
Figure 8 pufferfish is attractive, entertaining that’s the reason it is loved as loved by many plus it’s a freshwater fish. Most commonly these fishes are found in Southeast Asia, peninsular Malaysia, and Borneo.
They are also commonly known as the eyespot puffer. The upper portion of the body of the pufferfish is brown and has yellow spots and irregular lines all over the body.
The patterns or the design of each of the eyespot puffer varies and the marks on the side of the caudal fin resemble 8. Thus, the name figure 8 fish comes from here.
These fishes are quite peaceful and calm in nature so can be kept with other species of fish. The unique feature of this fish for which it is known is inflating water when it is frightened or stressed.
Figure 8 Puffer Size
The figure 8 max size is about 3.1 inches or 8 cm long as an adult. These fishes grow very fast and even the baby puffers grow about ½ inch in just a period of two months.
Another interesting fact about this fish is that it is very hard to determine the gender of this fish. The male and female pufferfish look exactly the same.
Figure 8 Puffer Lifespan
The lifespan of figure 8 puffer salinity is surprisingly very long and can be up to 15 years. In captivity, their lifespan isn’t much and they need an attractive and engaging aquarium to keep them entertained and away from boredom. For the pufferfish to live longer you need to maintain proper conditions in the aquarium and take appropriate care.
Figure 8 Puffer Diet
One of the most difficult tasks of keeping this fish is maintaining its diet.
- In the wild, these fishes eat mollusks and crustaceans.
- You can even give them flake or dried frozen fish foods which are easily available in the market.
- To meet their nutritional need you must include hard-shelled food in their diet which will keep the teeth ground down.
- The various hard-shelled items that you can feed them are clams, krill, oysters, scallops, daphnia, crickets, crayfish, and worms, etc.
- You can also feed them the Tetraodon snails or pond snails.
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Figure 8 Puffer Fish Care
Figure 8 puffer care is not that typical but it is certainly very important for the fish to survive longer.
- The filtration should be good in the tank as this fish often create debris while eating.
- These fishes are sensitive to ammonium and nitrates so you must keep the check of the water of the Aquarium.
- These fishes are quite curious and love to explore. You must decorate the tank with different aquatic plants and items. This will keep the pufferfish engaged and they can easily play around.
- Since they are too active they can be harsh on plants and break them if they are not sturdy. Make sure that everything that you keep in the aquarium is accordingly so that the fish doesn’t hurt itself.
Figure 8 Puffer Fish Tankmates
Figure 8 Puffer fishes can be kept with many tank mates but keeping it in community tank is not recommended. They should either be kept alone or with similar other pufferfishes. If you want, you can keep a few other fishes that live in the same partial saline water with them.
Figure 8 puffer brackish water can be kept with certain other companions like
- Knight gobies
- Mollies
- Bumblebee gobies fishes
- Dwarf
- Redeye
- Golden puffers
- Mbu puffers
- Danios
Figure 8 Puffer Fish Tank Size
Let us know about the tank specifications and how you should keep the pufferfishes in it below.
- The minimum tank size for the pufferfishes is 15 gallons of water and 10 gallons of water for each pufferfish.
- You should maintain the temperature of the tank between 72 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit or 22 to 26 degrees celsius.
- Make sure that the pH level of water is between 7 to 7.5 and the hardness is around 5 to 12 dGH.
- The Tank level should be between mid to lower as they are active swimmers.
- Keep the filtration of the tank in check as the pufferfishes are quite sensitive to ammonium and nitrates.
Figure 8 Puffer Vs Green Spotted Puffer
Figure 8 and green spotted puffer are very similar-looking fishes but I will tell you the major differences between the two below.
- The pufferfish grows only half the size of the Green spotted puffers that is just 3 inches.
- The Green pufferfish require more brackish or marine water as adults which makes it difficult to keep them.
- The major difference is that the Green spotted puffers are more aggressive and cant be kept with other mates whereas the pufferfishes are not aggressive.
Figure 8 Puffer Facts
Now, I will tell you some amazing and interesting facts about the pufferfishes.
- The scientific name of this fish is ‘Dichotomyctere ocellatus’ and the other name is ‘Tetraodon biocellatus’.
- The origin of this fish is in Southeast Asia, Cambodia, peninsular Malaysia, and Thailand.
- Figure 8 puffer puffed up when they find a threat or are frightened. They do this to protect themselves from predators.
- These fish can grow up to 8 cm or 3 inches long and have a maximum lifespan of 15 years.
- It is very difficult to determine the gender of these fishes. You can know it only when a pufferfish lays the egg.
- Puffer fishes are very active and curious so they get bored very easily. It is important to keep some aquatic plants and items in aquariums for their entertainment.
FAQ
How Big Do Figure 8 Pufferfish Get?
The pufferfish grow up to 8 cm or 3.1 inches long as an adult. The growth of the pufferfishes is very fast and even the baby puffer grows half-inch in two months.
How Many Figure 8 Puffers Are In A Tank?
You can keep 8 pufferfishes in a tank and they require a minimum of 15 gallons of water and there should be 10 gallons of water per pufferfish.
How Much Does A Figure 8 Puffer Eat?
Pufferfish needs to be fed 1 or 2 times a day. To meet their dietary needs you must feed them hard-shelled foods such as crayfish, clams, daphnia, oysters, and krills, etc.
Are Figure 8 Puffers Brackish?
The pufferfishes are freshwater fishes but they can tolerate the brackish or even the saltwater. They can survive in the low-end brackish water in captivity.
How Long Does A Figure 8 Puffer Live For?
With a salinity of between 1.005 and 1.008 specific gravity (S.G.), the lifespan of this species has been as long as 15 years. As with all puffer fish, they require a complex aquarium set up consisting of many nooks and crannies. This helps figure 8 puffers to behave as they would in nature, and reduce boredom.
What Happens If A Puffer Fish Touches You?
The pufferfish’s skin is covered in spines and spikes, which are exceedingly hazardous. Carry a toxin called tetrodotoxin (TTX), which is deadly to other fish and humans. You should avoid touching a pufferfish, especially if it is “puffed out.” Your hands could be damaged and you could die.
How Do You Take Care Of A Figure 8 Puffer Fish?
The main requirement for a Figure 8 Puffer tank is, of course, that it be brackish water. Aside from that, keep in mind that this species if a warm-water tropical fish so you should plan to maintain a tank temperature around 78°F.
Conclusion
Figure 8 puffer is a very colorful and beautiful fish. Many people love to keep them in Aquariums for display. These fishes are very easy to maintain and look gorgeous in the guest room. If you are also thinking of petting these fishes then in the above article you will get all the necessary details. I have mentioned the size, lifespan, and important facts about the pufferfishes. You will also get to know about their diet and nutritional needs. Not only this I have even specified the tank temperature, pH, and water hardness level for your reference. After reading the article I am sure that you will get all the information about the Figure 8 puffer.
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What is a full size Figure 8 Puffer fish
What does the figure 8 puffer fish look like