White Spotted Pufferfish (Arothron Hispidus)

Species Name : Arothron Hispidus 

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Semi-aggressive

Color : Brown, Grey, White, 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' 6"

Origin : Fiji, Indonesia, Nicaragua

Family : Tetraodontidae

Minimum Tank Size : 180 gallons

White Spotted Pufferfish (Arothron Hispidus), also known as Star-Striped Pufferfish and Hispid Pufferfish.  Its distribution extends through the Indo-Pacific area, Red Sea included, to the eastern Pacific Ocean. The name of the species comes from the Latin “hispidus” = hispid, due to the fact that it has the body covered by small spinules.

White Spotted Pufferfish have no scales or lateral line and have a set of protruding nostrils on the snout. The background color is a light grey brown color and some specimens have darker brown blotches on them. The body has white dots across is and a broken white ring around the eye. The lower body and underside is paler going to white. The species features yellow fins and a very powerful beak with teeth emerging from both the top and bottom. Perfect for cracking shells. Typical of Arothron Puffers, the base of the pectoral fins is darker in coloration. Though lacking pelvic fins and a hydrodynamic body shape, puffers are extremely maneuverable and are tenacious and capable predators. 

The ideal setup should be an established aquarium 180 gallon or larger with good filtration and a protein skimmer. Aquascape liberally with live rock and other materials to create an environment rich with nooks and crannies, caves, and overhangs while preserving easy access to large open areas.

Like many other puffer fish species, the stars and stripes puffer is not reef safe nor is it really community-proof. Although they are not particularly aggressive and can actually be timid, stars and stripes puffers will still eat anything they can get to. That includes corals and small tankmates. Larger tankmates should be no problem as long as they’re not too aggressive. House with fish of similar size and temperament and be aware that the White Spotted Pufferfish will eat invertebrates found in the aquarium using its fused beak-like teeth to crush open its prey. 

To make sure your stars and stripes puffer’s teeth stay trimmed, offer fresh or frozen clams, cockles, crab legs and unpeeled shrimp daily. You can also offer commercial foods on a regular basis if your fish will accept it. Highly intelligent, they can develop a real bond with their owners and recognize who feeds them.

Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2-3/4"; Medium: 3-1/4" to 4-1/4"; Medium/Large: 4-1/4" to 5-1/4"; Large: 5-1/4" to 6-1/4"; XLarge: 6-1/4" to 7-1/4"; XXLarge: 7-1/4" to 8-1/4"