Furry Diary

Not furry, but we like them anyway.

Red-eye Puffer

Carinotetraodon lorteti

Also called Redeye puffer, Crested puffer, Somphong's puffer

SpeciesShort profile

From Southeast Asia: Indochina (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam), Malaysia and Indonesia.12

At a glance the quick version

Length6 to 7 cm132
Sizesmall
Bright red eyes
Can change colour to match its surroundings
Clear male and female differences
123

Looks how to spot one

Scaleless round pufferfish

A small, compact puffer with striking red eyes. Mature males grow a raised keel along the back and belly, which gives the species its 'crested' name.23

Coloursruby-red body and eyes (males)reddish fins (males)net-like mottled pattern (females)barred tail (females)23

Personality what they are like

Easily startled and likes to stay close to plant cover. It has a strong personality and tends to nip fins, so it is best kept on its own or in a dedicated species tank.23

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A slow-moving fish of calm water that patrols plants and roots for small prey.13

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Water about 24-28 C, pH roughly 6.5-7.0 (tolerates 5.0-7.5) and soft to moderately hard water. Feed shelled snails or small crustaceans regularly to keep its ever-growing teeth worn down.13

Home where they are happiest

A tank with at least a 60 x 30 cm footprint (about 54 litres), filled with plants and driftwood and only gentle water flow.32

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Carnivorous: snails, small crustaceans, chopped shellfish, small earthworms and live or frozen bloodworms.13

Company who they like around

Best kept alone; a group is only possible in a large, densely planted tank with plenty of hiding places.3

The story where it all began

Described by Tirant in 1885 and named after French zoologist Louis Charles Emile Lortet. It has been sold under other names, including Tetraodon somphongsi, after Thai fish collector Somphong Lek-aree.132

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Males and females look so different that they were once thought to be separate species.1

  2. 2

    It can change colour depending on its surroundings.1

  3. 3

    In Bangkok it has been found living among dense water hyacinth in the Thonburi canals.2

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List (via FishBase)
Least Concern (assessed 2011).1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Red-eye Puffer. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Tell me when it launches

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Red-eye Puffer?

Feed your Red-eye Puffer small amounts once or twice a day. Furry Diary's starting plan is to feed daily, but always check the food label and ask your vet for the exact portion size.1 Furry Diary plan

What does a Red-eye Puffer eat, and what should it never eat?

This carnivore loves snails, small crustaceans, chopped shellfish, small earthworms, and live or frozen bloodworms. Never feed it anything that isn't meaty, and avoid any foods that could harm its teeth or digestion.13

How much space does a Red-eye Puffer need?

Your puffer needs a tank with at least a 60 x 30 cm footprint, which is about 54 litres. Fill it with plants and driftwood, and keep the water flow gentle.32

What temperature, light or water does a Red-eye Puffer need?

Keep the water at 24-28°C, with a pH of 6.5-7.0 (it can tolerate 5.0-7.5) and soft to moderately hard water. Provide gentle light and calm water, as this fish is easily startled.13

How often should I clean a Red-eye Puffer's home?

Furry Diary's plan suggests a 25% water change and glass cleaning every week, plus a monthly filter rinse using old tank water. Test the water weekly to keep conditions stable. Furry Diary plan

Can a Red-eye Puffer live with others?

It's best kept alone because it nips fins and has a strong personality. A group is only possible in a large, densely planted tank with many hiding places.23

How long does a Red-eye Puffer live?

Lifespan varies depending on care and environment. For specific information, please ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet.

Can I handle a Red-eye Puffer?

No, you should never handle this fish. It is easily startled and has a scaleless body that can be damaged by handling.23

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.

  1. FishBase: Carinotetraodon lorteti fishbase.seused for size, origin, water parameters, IUCN, diet, fun facts
  2. Wikipedia: Carinotetraodon lorteti en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, appearance, behaviour, habitat, naming
  3. Seriously Fish: Carinotetraodon lorteti seriouslyfish.comused for tank size, water parameters, diet, compatibility, dimorphism, history
  4. VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
  5. ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
  6. ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
  7. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
  8. RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.