White-spotted Puffer (Arothron hispidus) Care Guide
Arothron hispidus is a large, territorial Indo-Pacific puffer reaching about 50 cm; it is not reef-safe and is poisonous to eat.
Overview
Arothron hispidus, the white-spotted puffer, is a large puffer of the family Tetraodontidae. It has an olive- to greenish-brown body covered in fine white spots, with white bars around the eyes and pectoral fins. Like other puffers it is poisonous to eat.
Taxonomy
- Family: Tetraodontidae
- Genus: Arothron
- Scientific name: Arothron hispidus
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species ranges through the Indo-West Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to southern Japan and Hawaii, and into the eastern Pacific from Baja California to Panama, at depths of 1-50 m. It occupies outer reef slopes, inner reef flats, lagoons, coastal bays, estuaries and sandy or rubble areas.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1000 L (264 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: medium
- Lifespan: 8-20 years
Diet
The species is a carnivore with a broad diet. FishBase records fleshy, calcareous and coralline algae, detritus, molluscs, tunicates, sponges, corals, zoanthids, crabs, tube worms and echinoderms. In captivity it should receive meaty marine foods twice daily, including hard-shelled items to manage tooth growth.
Compatibility
The fish is solitary and territorial, becoming somewhat aggressive, and swims in the middle of the water column. It is not reef-safe and will eat corals, ornamental shrimp, snails and crabs. Suitable companions are large, robust species; small fish should be avoided.
Breeding
The species is oviparous (egg-laying). Captive breeding is considered very difficult.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2011).