Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Canthigaster (Tobies/Sharpnose Puffers)

Canthigaster punctatissima

(Gunther, 1870)

Spotted Sharpnose Puffer

Not Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Eastern Central Pacific: Guaymas Mexico to Panama and Galapagos Islands.

Size: 3 inches (9 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits protected recesses on rocky reefs and boulder strewn slopes and usually found at depths between 20 to 150 feet (6 - 45 m) where it feeds mainly on benthic invertebrate and some algae.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, with a brownish body with numerous white spots, white belly and green around the eyes. Lacks pelvic fins, but uses the pectoral fins for movement.

Best maintained in fish-only aquariums with live rock caves and crevices for browsing, and also wide-open swimming areas with peaceful, swift moving tankmates, such as damselfish.

Should not be housed with aggressive tankmates such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfishes or angelfishes, as this is a somewhat slow moving species.

Requires a varied diet, i.e., finely chopped fish or shrimp flesh, krill, clams, squid, earthworms and/or carnivore frozen foods, along with some vegetable matter. Should have numerous/at least three daily feedings.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Tetraodontiformes

    Suborder: Tetraodontoidei

    Family: Tetraodontidae

    Subfamily: Canthigastrinae

    Genus: Canthigaster

FYI: Will eat small ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, and tubeworms.

Will nip stony corals.

One per aquarium unless a mated pair.

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

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: No

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: No

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful, and swifter

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 69 - 78°F (21 - 25°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Canthigaster punctatissima (Spotted Sharpnose Puffer)
Photo © John Randall
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