Fang’s puffer - Tetraodon cochinchinensis

Scientific name: Tetraodon cochinchinensis

Common name: Fang’s puffer

Family: Tetraodontidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 6 - 7 cm (2.36 - 2.76 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.6 - 7.5

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 5 - 20°N (89.29 - 357.14ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 23 - 28 °C (73.4 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South Asia

Temperament to its own species: aggressive/territorial

Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive/territorial

Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels

Food and Feeding

Fang’s puffers thrive on a diet rich in live or frozen meaty foods. Ideal options include cockles, mussels, and prawns. These provide essential nutrients while satisfying their carnivorous nature. It is important to offer them a consistent supply of snails, as the hard shells play a crucial role in maintaining their beaks, which grow continuously. Without this, their beaks can become overgrown, making it difficult for them to eat properly. Regularly varying their diet ensures they receive all the nutrients they need for long-term health.

Origin

Fang’s puffers are native to Southeast Asia, where they can be found in freshwater habitats in countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. These regions provide the warm, slow-moving waters that puffers prefer, with dense vegetation that helps them hide and hunt.

Sexing

Distinguishing between male and female Fang’s puffers can be difficult, as there are no outward physical differences. Sexing is only possible with careful observation of breeding behavior, which is not often witnessed in home aquariums.

Breeding

Although breeding Fang’s puffers in home aquariums is possible, it is largely a matter of luck rather than controlled efforts. In the rare cases when breeding does occur, the adults provide no parental care. The eggs and fry are highly vulnerable and should be moved to a separate tank to prevent predation by the adults or other fish. Successfully raising fry requires a well-maintained environment with optimal water conditions and a proper diet of small, live foods to encourage healthy growth.

Lifespan

The typical lifespan of a Fang’s puffer (Tetraodon cochinchinensis) in captivity is around 10 years. Providing the fish with a proper diet, clean water, and suitable tank conditions can help them reach or even exceed this lifespan.

Short Description

Fang’s puffer is a highly territorial and aggressive species, especially towards other tank mates. Because of this, it is best to keep them in a species-only aquarium. If you plan to house more than one Fang’s puffer, make sure to include plenty of plants, rocks, and other décor to create natural barriers, allowing each fish to establish its own territory. This can help reduce conflict between individuals. Additionally, Fang’s puffers produce a significant amount of waste due to their protein-heavy diet. To maintain water quality, it is essential to use a powerful filtration system and monitor the tank conditions regularly to avoid spikes in ammonia or nitrites, which could harm the fish.