Greenbottle puffer
Auriglobus nefastus
Also known as Golden puffer, Nefastus puffer, Emerald puffer
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 5.1 in (13 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal (250 L)
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Sundaland rivers
- Family
- Tetraodontidae
Overview
The greenbottle puffer, also sold as the golden puffer, is a fast, restless open-water species and a determined fin-nipper, so it is best kept alone; it will not settle with its own kind and is a serious risk to tankmates, which makes a species tank the sensible default. Unlike the sit-and-wait puffers it patrols the middle water almost constantly and needs room to swim. Its beak grows for life, so feed shell-on foods such as snails, prawn, and mussel to keep it blunt, with other meaty items. Give it strong filtration, some current, and clean water. A tank of around 250 liters or more suits one adult.
In the wild
This species lives in the rivers of Sundaland in Southeast Asia, in flowing, well-oxygenated water. Recreate that with open swimming space, driftwood, moderate to strong flow, and clean, stable water. Keep it warm at about 24 to 28 C and from mildly acidic to neutral, roughly pH 6 to 7.5, with low nitrate and strong filtration.
Good to know
A member of the pufferfish family Tetraodontidae, it reaches about 13 centimeters and is a metallic green to gold color. Its species name, nefastus, is Latin for inauspicious or wicked, which suits a relentless fin-nipper. Aquarium breeding is not recorded.
Did you know
Its scientific name, nefastus, means wicked or inauspicious in Latin, a fitting label for a fast, sharp-beaked puffer with a reputation for shredding the fins of anything it can catch.
Common questions
What size tank does a Greenbottle puffer need?
A Greenbottle puffer needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Greenbottle puffer need?
Greenbottle puffer are comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big do Greenbottle puffer get?
An adult Greenbottle puffer reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
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