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.
Care parameters
Water temperature
24–28 °C
pH
7.5–8.5
GH hardness
9–19 dGH
Adult length
30–44 cm
Minimum tank
500 L
Water layer
Middle to bottom
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperament
Curious, bold and not to be trusted with tankmates' fins
Origin
coasts & rivers of E China
Species overview
From the waters of coasts & rivers of E China comes Takifugu obscurus, a member of the family Tetraodontidae. A personality with fins: it recognises keepers, patrols territory and investigates everything. It lives on the bottom. Adults reach 30–44 cm. Singly, with room to patrol. Plan around the beak: shelly foods weekly, heavy filtration, and few if any neighbours. Maintain 24–28 °C at pH 7.5–8.5. A solid choice for a well-planned community tank.
Native biotope
Habitat
Estuaries and brackish shallows
Flow
Still to gentle
Dissolved O₂
High oxygen appreciated
Aquascape & hardware
Substrate
Fine sand
Hardscape
Open sand with sparse decor
Plants
Sparse hardy plants
Temperament, diet & tankmates
Schooling
Singly, with room to patrol
Diet
Needs crunchy prey: snails and shellfish trim the ever-growing teeth
Recommended tankmates
Fast robust fish too large to harass — Only in the largest setups
Avoid keeping with
Invertebrates — Eaten like the snails they are
Breeding & notes
Sexual dimorphism
Unclear
Breeding method
Spawning reported rarely; courtship on the substrate