Green Spotted Puffer

About

Found across a broad stretch of coastal and inland waters from Sri Lanka through Indonesia and north into China, this spotted green puffer, Dichotomyctere nigroviridis, is one of the more commonly encountered brackish puffers in the hobby. And one of the more misunderstood. Its bold black-and-yellow-green spotted pattern and perpetually curious expression make it easy to fall for at the fish store, but potential keepers should know what they're signing up for. In the wild it inhabits freshwater streams, rivers, and seasonal floodplains, hunting down mollusks, crustaceans, and other invertebrates with the powerful beak-like teeth that define the puffer family. In the aquarium, those same teeth become a problem for tankmates. This species is notorious for fin- and scale-nipping, and that aggression tends to ramp up noticeably as the fish matures. Smaller fish and any invertebrates in the tank are essentially on the menu. A brackish setup with appropriate salt content is non-negotiable for long-term health. Given the combination of aggression, specific water chemistry requirements, and the escalating behavioral challenges as the fish ages, this species is best suited to a dedicated species tank managed by a keeper with some experience already under their belt.