Species Profile
Dogface Puffer
Arothron nigropunctatus
Also known as: Black-Spotted Puffer, Blackspotted Puffer
Pufferspeaceful
Adult size
12″
Minimum tank
100 gal
Temperature
72–82°F
pH
8.1–8.4
Schooling
Solitary OK
Water level
mid
Grows from juvenile
Typically sold at ~3″ and reaches 12″ over ~2 years. Plan tank size for the adult, not the fish at purchase.Diet
Frozen mysis, krill, clams on the half shell, squid
Notes
Famously expressive face with puppy-dog eyes. Comes in yellow, gray, blue, and black-spotted morphs. Surprisingly peaceful for a puffer — coexists with similar-sized fish. Will eat invertebrates; FOWLR-only.
Photo: H. Zell / Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC-BY-SA-3.0