Dwarf Puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus)
| Dwarf Puffer Carinotetraodon travancoricus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Dwarf Puffer |
| Name Lat. | Carinotetraodon travancoricus |
| Family | Puffers |
| Family lat. | Tetraodontidae |
| Order | Puffers & Filefishes |
| Order lat. | Tetraodontiformes |
| Origin | Southern India |
| Habitat | Streams, ponds |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Life Span | 5-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 3 cm |
| Temperature | 22-28 °C |
| Hardness | 5-25 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 50 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1" |
| Temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Hardness | 89-445 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 15 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the dwarf puffer fish is in the state of Kerala in the south of India. There they live in slowly flowing and stagnant waters with dense underwater vegetation and overhanging bank vegetation.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a dense border and background planting, with many hiding places (stones, roots) and provide sufficient swimming space. A dark, fine sandy substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves), some shaded light (floating plants) and neutral to slightly alkaline water without current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They are food specialists, eating almost exclusively water snails and crustaceans. The food supply therefore consists mainly of small snails (e.g. bubble snails or apple snails) supplemented with live or frozen food, such as shrimp, mosquito larvae, artemia, mysis, etc., or a frozen special food mixture. Flake or granulated food is rarely accepted. It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day, which are eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
It is recommended to keep these relatively peaceful puffer fish in pairs or in a group, in which the number of females should predominate. Internally, they are somewhat territorial during spawning season. A larger, richly structured tank is recommended for group keeping. They can be well socialized in a community tank with not too large and aggressive fish. Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
Juveniles are difficult to distinguish. Adult males have a dark longitudinal belly line. Females appear slightly more rounded.
Reproduction and breeding
Dwarf puffers are substrate spawners. When a harmonizing pair has been found, the female spawns about 30 eggs on a plant (Java moss). The male intensively defends the clutch. After about 48 hours the larvae hatch and swim free after 5-7 days.
Young fish must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (e.g. Brachionus). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.
Important
They need the hard shells of snails to wear down their teeth, which are constantly growing back. Too long teeth make it impossible for them to eat and they would starve.
Pufferfish can inflate to twice their size by filling their expandable stomach with air or water
A cup filled with aquarium water, not a catch net, should be used for transferring or inserting them to prevent them from becoming airborne.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: BMEL (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 5, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF