Tetradon

Tetradon, popularly called pufferfish, is a rare and intriguing species that has won over aquarium aficionados all over the world. Observing these fish is fascinating and entertaining because of their unique characteristic of puffing up when threatened.

Tetradons are revered for their remarkable looks in addition to their intriguing behavior. They liven up any aquarium with their array of colors and patterns. These fish have personality and can easily take center stage in your tank despite their small size.

Nonetheless, Tetradon maintenance calls for a little extra attention. Regarding food, tank mates, and water conditions, they have particular requirements. It’s crucial to comprehend these specifications if you want your Tetradon to flourish in your aquarium.

Characteristic Description
Common Name Pufferfish
Scientific Name Tetraodon
Size Typically 6-10 cm
Diet Carnivorous, feeds on snails, crustaceans
Tank Size Minimum 60 liters
Water Temperature 24-28°C
Behavior Territorial, can be aggressive
Lifespan Up to 10 years
Special Care Requires clean water, sensitive to water quality

Description

The puffer fish is a calm aquatic creature with an elongated, truncated pear-shaped body, round eyes, and a round mouth. The body is smooth and soft, with a rounded belly that morphs into a small tail. The fish is guided by its pectoral fins, which are found on the sides close to the gill covers. The tetraodon can swim both forward and backward with their assistance.

A bloated fish has spikes all over its smooth, surface-like body, much like a pincushion. When tetraodon is pulled out into the air, it typically swells. It makes its way back to the aquarium, floundering helplessly for a short while before slowly reverting to its normal body shape.

Species

  • Green tetraodon is a common aquarium variety. Can live in fresh, slightly salted water. Color – yellowish-green transverse stripes, irregular spots, etc. Sizes in nature – 10-16 cm, in a home aquarium – 6-7 cm. The older the river tetraodon, the more aggressive it is;

Ways to maintain Tetraodon

The bubble fish requires the creation of ideal conditions in order to feel at ease. They include selecting the ideal aquarium, furnishings, layout, and routine maintenance for the soil’s cleanliness and water quality.

Aquarium arrangement

  • Volume – from 150 l. Minimum allowable – from 110 l. If the fish has neighbors, then the larger the volume, the more comfortable it will be for all inhabitants. The exception is dwarf species of tetraodon, tanks from 50 l are suitable for them;
  • Soil is very important for tetraodon. Since these are voracious fish, waste products appear in large quantities. Soil helps the water stay clean longer. Fraction – any, ideally 3-5 or 5-7 mm;
  • Filtration is extremely important for maintaining the health of these fish. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the choice of filter;
  • Aeration – moderate, round-the-clock;
  • Lighting – dim, muted;
  • Decor for tetraodon is not important. You can use any design elements: stones, driftwood, ceramic pipes. It will be nice if the tetraodon can find a secluded place among the decor and hide. For some species, grottoes are a necessary measure;
  • Live plants are welcome, as they create secluded corners. It is better to plant them densely so that the plants form thickets;
  • A lid on the aquarium is desirable.

Water parameters

  • Temperature 23-28 ° C, depending on the species;
  • Hardness 2-19 °;
  • Acidity 6.5-7.5 pH.

What to feed the tetraodon

Tetraodon is also known by the unofficial moniker "dog fish." Many of them eat practically anything that moves because they are so ravenous. Consequently, it is advised to periodically introduce tiny live fish—which tetraodon view as delicacies—into an aquarium containing predators.

Live food, both fresh and frozen, is the main dish.

  • Mollusks in shells and without: shrimp, squid, snails;
  • Bloodworms;
  • Worms;
  • Corethra.

Conduct and suitability

It is best to keep most species in aquariums with only one species because most species are aggressive. Only some amphibians or large, active predators will be the neighbors of even the most placid representatives. Tetradons can act aggressively toward one another when they are at home.

With its strong jaws, the puffer fish simply rips off pieces of its prey’s body in a very brutal hunting technique. You can only imagine how powerful a fish’s jaws must be to gnaw on snails and crack their shells.

How to determine sex

Males and females differ primarily in subtle ways in terms of size and intelligence. This is very evident in certain species, but there are almost no differences at first glance in others.

Breeding

In captivity, many species do not procreate. It is very hard to have children from other people. Regular water changes, temperature increases, and dietary additions of vitamins and microelements all promote reproduction. There are still no specific recommendations for promoting spawning because these actions are so rarely successful.

The process of reproduction of the tetraodon

Up to 500 eggs can be laid by puffer fish on substrate or just in the water column. The male looks after the eggs until the fry come out (8–9 days), at which point the parents stop caring for the children and consider them to be food. It is therefore preferable to move the fry to a different aquarium and feed them brine shrimp nauplii if they are successfully bred.

The Tetradon, commonly referred to as the pufferfish, is a fascinating and distinctive addition that adds both beauty and personality to any aquarium. These fish are fascinating to watch but need special care because of their sensitive nature. They are known for their ability to inflate when threatened. We’ll go over everything you need to know about keeping Tetradons in this post, from what they should eat to how to set up their aquarium so they can live happy, healthy lives.

Tetraodon diseases

The immune system of the fish is not very strong. They are prone to illnesses, most of which are brought on by dirty water. Thus, prompt attention and careful aquarium and fish neighbor selection are the keys to preventing early mortality. Tetraodons seldom live longer than ten years, even under perfect circumstances (although they can). It should be noted that quarantine is required prior to introducing them into a home aquarium because they carry numerous diseases from their natural habitat.

Gaining an appreciation for Tetradons, or pufferfish, is facilitated by knowing these interesting animals. They are a fascinating addition to any aquarium because of their distinctive behavior and appearance.

But they do need special attention. To keep them healthy and thriving, it’s critical to provide for all of their needs, including nutrition and tank conditions. This entails being ready to devote time and energy to taking care of them.

Tetradons can give your aquarium a lot of personality if you’re willing to commit. They are a favorite among fish enthusiasts because of their peculiar habits and inquisitive nature.

Video on the topic

SHOCK! Predatory fish "Tetradon" Fish eats a scorpion, a centipede, a snake: Scolopendra against fish

Dwarf tetradon (tetraodon) – a snail exterminator in an aquarium

Dwarf TetraDon – aquarium SnailGryzli

Evil underwater meat grinder – TETRADON FISH IN BUSINESS!

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Ivan Kononov

Experienced aquarist with an emphasis on breeding and keeping exotic aquarium fish. Author of many articles and books on the topic of aquarium keeping. Always in search of new species and interesting solutions for home aquariums. I believe that an aquarium is not only a home decoration, but also a means of studying nature and its laws.

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