Ocellated Puffer (Leiodon cutcutia) Care Guide
Leiodon cutcutia is a medium freshwater puffer from South Asia, aggressive towards tankmates and usually kept singly in a species tank.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Leiodon cutcutia, formerly Tetraodon cutcutia, is a medium-sized freshwater pufferfish from South Asia that grows to about 15 cm total length. It is aggressive towards tankmates and is often kept singly or in species-only aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Tetraodontidae
- Genus: Leiodon
- Scientific name: Leiodon cutcutia
- Originally described as Tetraodon cutcutia (Hamilton, 1822); genus Leiodon revalidated by Kottelat in 2013
Habitat
It is native to southern Asia, ranging from India to the Malay Archipelago, inhabiting fresh and brackish water bodies throughout its range.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L (about 26 gal)
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Setup: densely planted with plenty of hiding places
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
It is carnivorous and feeds readily on snails, small crustaceans and other invertebrates. Hard-shelled prey helps keep its beak worn down.
Compatibility
An aggressive, middle-water puffer that is sensitive to water quality degradation. It is best kept alone in a species tank and is not suitable with other tankmates.
Pignose Puffer Breeding Guide
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.