Family: Tetraodontidae
Obscure Puffer — a Tetraodontidae from coasts & rivers of E China, curious, bold and not to be trusted with tankmates' fins. Reaches 30–44 cm; singly, with room to patrol. 24–28 °C.
Takifugu obscurus, a member of the family Tetraodontidae, comes from coasts & rivers of E China, where it inhabits estuaries and brackish shallows. Curious, bold and not to be trusted with tankmates' fins and needs crunchy prey: snails and shellfish trim the ever-growing teeth, it grows to 30–44 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 24–28 °C range. Other Takifugu species in our database include Takifugu flavidus, Takifugu ocellatus, Takifugu rubripes.
A moderate-level species: curious, bold and not to be trusted with tankmates' fins; stable water matters more than fancy equipment.
Set the heater to 24–28 °C and avoid swings. pH 7.5–8.5, GH 9–19 dGH suit it.
Adults reach 30–44 cm; it is middle to bottom. Plan for at least 500 litres.
Needs crunchy prey: snails and shellfish trim the ever-growing teeth. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.
Curious, bold and not to be trusted with tankmates' fins. Recommended tankmates: Fast robust fish too large to harass — Only in the largest setups. Avoid Invertebrates — Eaten like the snails they are.
Its home waters are coasts & rivers of E China — estuaries and brackish shallows, with still to gentle.
In the aquarium: spawning reported rarely; courtship on the substrate. Unclear.