Arothron Dog Face Puffer (Arothron Nigropunctatus)

Size: only M, L

Species Name : Arothron Nigropunctatus

Care Level : Moderate

Temperament : Semi-aggressive

Color : Gray, Black, Tan, Yellow 

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : No

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 1' 1"

Origin : Indonesia, Sri Lanka

Family : Tetraodontidae

Minimum Tank Size : 150 gallons

The Arothron Dog Face Puffer (Arothron Nigropunctatus), also known as the Blackspotted Puffer, gets its name from its resemblance to canines. The Arothron Dog Face Puffer will make a great addition to your aquarium with its bright personality and unusual appearance. 

Arothron Nigropunctatus is a small sized fish which grows up to 33 cm (1 ft) length. Its body is oval shape, spherical and relatively elongated. The skin is not covered with scales, and strewn with dark blotches of various sizes and shapes. Their color is usually brown or grey with small black spots but color and pattern can vary greatly between individuals. Rare individuals may be all black, dalmation (black and white), or they may have a yellow underside.

The Arothron Dog Face Puffer lacks pelvic fins, but is very maneuverable, using its pectoral, dorsal, and anal fins. Instead of "teeth," it has a fused beak-like structure which it uses to crush prey. In the wild, Pufferfish tend to be nocturnal hunters.

When frightened or distressed, Pufferfish can inflate over two times it’s original size. It is important to never provoke a puffer to see it inflate. You’re also ensuring there’s room in case a startle reflex happens.  

A 150 gallon or larger, fish-only, carnivorous aquarium is suitable. Standard reef parameters work fine for a dog faced puffer fish. You need to provide enough room for them to swim and explore. 

Better tankmates include similarly large species, though preferably nothing overly aggressive. Peaceful or semi-aggressive fish like triggerfish, angelfish and snowflake eels should do alright. As for coral compatibility, dog faced puffers are generally considered to be pretty much reef safe. It will eat invertebrates found in a reef tank. It tolerates other Puffers that are not more aggressive than itself. 

Though shy and refusing food on initial introduction, it will become bold, if not spoiled. In captivity, their diet should consist of suitably meaty foods, such as raw shrimp, squid, krill, mussels, and clams. Foods with hard shells will help keep their teeth from overgrowing (a frequent issue for aquarists that aren’t familiar with dogface puffer fish – or puffers, in general). It is also a good idea to occasionally supplement with some type of herbivore diet.