Crested Dwarf Puffer Breeding Guide

Carinotetraodon lorteti is a dwarf puffer with strong sexual dimorphism; the male crest-displays, spawns among mosses and solely guards the brood.

Overview

The crested dwarf puffer is an Indochinese freshwater puffer of slow-moving to standing water in shady forest streams, minor tributaries and floodplains, where aquatic or riparian vegetation grows densely and substrates may be covered in fallen leaves and branches. According to Seriously Fish it shows clear sexual dimorphism and male brood care, which makes targeted breeding feasible for experienced keepers.

Sexing

Sexing is straightforward in mature fish. Seriously Fish reports that males have well-developed dorsal and ventral keels (crests) on the body that are erected during threat displays and courtship, and males show uniform colouring, while females display a reticulated colour pattern on the body and caudal fin.

Breeding Setup

Recreate the natural habitat with shade, dense fine-leaved planting and a soft substrate. Fine-leaved mosses such as Taxiphyllum placed close to the substrate provide the preferred spawning medium described by Seriously Fish for receiving the semi-adhesive eggs.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Courtship is initiated by the male and is characterised by an intensified colour pattern and displays involving the dorsal and ventral crests. The semi-adhesive eggs are deposited among the aquatic vegetation close to the substrate.

Egg & Fry Care

After spawning the male assumes sole responsibility for guarding the brood, and the eggs typically hatch in 60-72 hours. Newly hatched fry initially carry a yolk sac that is fully absorbed within a couple of days, at which point they become free-swimming and, owing to their small size, should first be offered infusoria-grade foods.