Figure 8 Puffer

Looks how to spot one

Scaleless pufferfish body that can inflate

A compact, rounded little puffer with a beak-like mouth and large, mobile eyes. Its back carries a pattern of yellow-green lines forming loops and eyespots, the 'figure eight' that gives it its name, over a pale belly. Like other puffers it can blow itself up with water or air when alarmed.21

Personality what they are like

Curious and alert, this puffer explores everything and quickly learns to recognise its keeper at feeding time. It is calmer than many puffers, yet can still nip slow or long-finned fish, so companions need choosing with care.21

Daily activity how busy a day looks

An active explorer that enjoys a well-decorated tank with plants, wood and caves to patrol and investigate.12

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Seriously Fish suggests about 22 to 26 C, pH 6.5 to 7.5 and 5 to 12 dGH, noting it does well with a little marine salt (around 1.005 SG); Wikipedia's care notes favour slightly harder, alkaline water (pH about 7.8 to 8.3) at SG 1.005 to 1.008 and 24 to 28 C. Strong filtration and frequent water changes keep the water clean, and hard-shelled foods such as snails keep its beak naturally worn.213

Home where they are happiest

Seriously Fish recommends a tank with a base of at least 75 x 30 cm (around 68 litres); Wikipedia gives about 15 US gallons as a minimum. Use a fully cycled tank with plenty of hiding places and complex decor.21

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A snail and shellfish specialist. Offer snails, mussels, cockles and other unshelled seafood, plus worms and frozen foods. Crunchy foods help keep its ever-growing beak in shape.213

Company who they like around

Often kept on its own, since it can be touchy with its own kind. In larger setups it can share space with quick, robust fish such as barbs, rasboras or, in brackish water, bumblebee gobies and monos.213

The story where it all began

The species was first described by Franz Steindachner in 1870, and the name Tetraodon biocellatus, under which it became known in the aquarium hobby, was given later by Tirant in 1885. Modern taxonomy places it in the genus Dichotomyctere, and it is now a well-known small puffer in the aquarium trade.31

Recognised by the official bits

FishBase

Valid name Dichotomyctere ocellatus (Steindachner, 1870); Tetraodon biocellatus Tirant, 1885 is treated as a junior synonym (Kottelat 2013)3

IUCN Red List

Data Deficient (assessed 2019)3