Bornean Puffer

About

Found only in the rivers and streams of southern Sarawak on the island of Borneo, Carinotetraodon borneensis is one of the more geographically restricted dwarf puffers in the hobby. It's a small fish by any measure, topping out at around two inches, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in character. Like most puffers, it's intensely curious and will actively watch whatever is happening outside the tank. These are fish that notice you. They're also carnivores with the trademark fused beak-like teeth that puffers are known for, so a varied diet of snails, small crustaceans, and other meaty foods is essential for keeping that beak worn down and the fish in good condition. This is not a community tank candidate. Puffers of this group tend to be nippy at best and genuinely aggressive at worst, so tankmates need to be chosen very carefully or skipped altogether. The species is not commonly encountered in the trade given its restricted natural range, which makes it something of a find for puffer enthusiasts. Keepers with some experience handling the dietary and behavioral quirks of pufferfish will get the most out of this rare little Bornean native.