The Different Varieties Of Puffer Fish

Pufferfish are thought to be some of the most adorable members of the sea, due to their big, beady eyes, and the variety of colors and patterns they can be found in.

The Different Varieties Of Puffer Fish

These fascinating little fish have earned their name by puffing up whenever they feel in danger, adding to their cuteness! 

What many people don’t know is, that there are many varieties of pufferfish in all kinds of sizes.

Around 80% of pufferfish live in saltwater, with the rest living in freshwater, and today we’re going to give you some information about the different types of pufferfish you can find! 

Freshwater Pufferfish

As mentioned above, there are fewer varieties of freshwater pufferfish, so we’re going to start by discussing a few of these types. 

Congo Pufferfish

As their name suggests, Congo pufferfish can be found in Africa, in the Congo River.

They are also known as Potato Puffers, due to their spots that resemble those on potatoes. 

They can grow to around 15 centimeters in length and can be found in several varieties of color.

These pufferfish can be kept as pets, but they will need a sand substrate at the bottom of their aquarium or tank.

They should also be fed a mix of smaller freshwater fish, prawns, isopods, and earthworms. They also aren’t very active. 

Red-Eyed Pufferfish

These puffers are more unique-looking, as they are black and silver and have red eyes!

However, some do feel intimidated by these guys, due to their red eyes, while others find them super cool. 

They usually live in Southeast Asia and are around 6.5 centimeters in length. 

Dwarf Pea Pufferfish 

Really living up to their reputation for being cute, is no other than the dwarf pea pufferfish.

These cuties are only 1.4 inches and are yellow in color with black spots. 

If you’d like to keep these little guys as pets, they are ideal as they are able to live in a smaller tank.

The Different Varieties Of Puffer Fish

However, don’t let their size fool you, as they can be quite aggressive with other fish, so it is best to keep them together with their own species if you’d like more than one. 

These guys love to feed on frozen blood worms, brine shrimp, and pest snails. 

Fahaka Pufferfish

These pufferfish are some of the largest ones you can come across.

They have beautiful bodies that are normally striped or patterned in red, gray, yellow, white, and black.

Originating in Africa, they are known as the Nile and Band puffer. 

They can grow up to 1.4 feet in length, and due to this, this only makes them suitable for large aquariums if they were to be kept as pets.

The recommended tank size would be 120 gallons, and they would need 55 gallons of water per fish. 

Aside from this, they are very aggressive fish, so they should not be kept with others from different species, and should only be looked after by experienced aquarium keepers. 

Amazon Puffer

These puffers can be found in the Amazon River in South America.

They’re also very small, growing only to around 3 inches. 

Their bodies are filled with black and yellow stripes, and their bellies and fully yellow, giving them a very nice appearance. 

Unlike the Congo pufferfish we discussed earlier, these fish are super active, so although they are small, they’ll need a relatively large tank to cater to their activity levels. 

Their teeth also have a tendency to overgrow, but this can be managed by feeding them shellfish, as well as brine shrimp, plant matter, and insects. 

Saltwater Pufferfish

Now that we’ve covered some popular freshwater puffers, it’s time to go over their saltwater companions. 

Blue-Spotted Pufferfish

These puffers are normally found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

They are red with blue lines and spots all over their bodies, as well as a swirl pattern around both of their eyes.

They can usually grow up to 5 inches long, and they are omnivores. 

Valentin’s Sharpnose Pufferfish

This beautiful pufferfish has some wonderful patterns all over its body.

The Different Varieties Of Puffer Fish

They are normally white along with black stripes and yellow dots. Their fins and tails are also yellow. 

They have a long, pointed nose, and can be found in the Indian and Pacific oceans. 

However, these fish are extremely toxic, so much so, that other fish have mimicked their appearance in order to protect themselves. 

Blackspotted Pufferfish

These puffers are known for their cute appearance due to the dark spots around their mouths, that are similar to a puppy’s snout!

They can grow to around a foot and are relatively large when they puff up.

They are normally white with black spots, with yellow fins, and are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. 

Porcupine Pufferfish

Although they are known as the porcupine pufferfish, they are actually from a different family and are called porcupine fish. 

However, these fish also inflate their bodies when they need to defend themselves, and have a poisonous tetrodotoxin in their bodies. 

Additionally, porcupine fish have extra sharp spines that act as an extra defense. 

Northern Pufferfish 

As their name suggests, these little guys can be found in North America, native to the Atlantic coast. 

They are beautiful in their appearance, with a yellow base color that has white and black patterns, giving them a golden appearance. 

Are They Good Pets? 

While many would love to have some of these adorable fish in their own home, it is not always ethical. 

They can’t be captive-bred, which means they need to be caught in the wild, and a life in captivity for a fish is a lot sadder than a life in the wild. 

Their size also needs to be considered, as some puff up to a relatively large size.

The best thing to do is admire these cuties in their natural habitat. 

Final Thoughts 

There are many varieties of puffer fish, and this article has covered some of the more well-known ones. 

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about these fascinating little fish!

Olivia Kepner