Pignose Puffer Breeding Guide

Leiodon cutcutia is a freshwater puffer that pair-spawns on a flat surface; the male guards and fans the eggs, and it was the first puffer bred in captivity.

Overview

The pignose or common Indian puffer is recorded by FishBase under the name Leiodon cutcutia (Hamilton, 1822), reaching about 15 cm TL and distributed across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and the Malay archipelago, also occurring in the Mekong. It is a demersal freshwater (and brackish) fish of ponds, beels, canals and rivers, listed as IUCN Least Concern. It is historically notable as the first pufferfish to spawn successfully in captivity.

Breeding Setup

A peer-reviewed captive-breeding study reports spawning in fresh water under stable temperature of about 25-27 °C and a 12-hour light/12-hour dark cycle, with a flat spawning surface such as an earthenware pipe or sunken driftwood. A densely planted layout with hiding spaces, as described for the species in general care notes, helps the pair settle.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

The same study describes the male bending its body close to the female and contacting her vent region with increasing frequency, culminating in the release of gametes. The pair deposits a single-layered batch of relatively large eggs on the chosen flat surface.

Egg & Fry Care

After spawning the male guards the eggs and gently fans them, with the fry reported to hatch after about 7-10 days. The male's continued tending of the clutch is central to a successful spawn.