Arothron diadematus

(Ruppell 1829)

Masked Pufferfish, Panda Pufferfish

Range: Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea.

Size: 12 inches (30 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits coastal lagoons and bay areas and usually found at depths between 10 to 85 feet (3 - 25 m) where it feeds on benthic invertebrate.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, and having a light grey body with black patches around both eyes, black around the snout and lacks pelvic fins, but uses the pectoral fins for movement.

Best maintained in fish-only aquariums with wide-open swimming areas, peaceful tankmates, and tankmates too large to be eaten. Provide a large cave to hide in when needed.

Should not be housed with aggressive or fin-nipping fishes, such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfishes or angelfishes, as this is a slow moving species.

Requires a varied diet, i.e., chunky chopped fish or shrimp flesh, krill, clams, squid, and/or carnivore frozen foods, along with some vegetable matter. Leave the hard shells on shrimp that are fed, as this may help wear down its teeth. Should have numerous daily feedings.

Taxonomy:

Order: Tetraodontiformes

Suborder: Tetraodontoidei

Family: Tetraodontidae

Subfamily: Tetraodontinae

Genus: Arothron

FYI: Will eat smaller fishes, ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, urchins, sea stars, sponges, clams including tridacnid clams, and tubeworms.

Will nip the fins of slow moving tankmates.

May graze upon coralline algae and eat stony corals.

When threatened, will puff up by taking in air and water and become balloon-like to deter predators.

The bodies of Pufferfish are covered in a toxic mucus (tetrodotoxin), a powerful poison to ward off would-be predators.

If the skin or flesh is consumed by humans, can be fatal.

Probably will need to be dewormed and have its teeth filed to prevent overgrowth.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: No

Fish Safe: No

Invertebrate Safe: No

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful, and larger

Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5