Greenbottle Pufferfish

About

The greenbottle pufferfish (Auriglobus nefastus) is a freshwater species, not saltwater despite how it's sometimes listed, native to river systems across Southeast Asia, from the Mekong basin down through Indonesia. In the wild it inhabits flowing rivers and streams, but during seasonal floods it spreads into inundated forests and plains, taking advantage of the expanded habitat. What really sets this fish apart is its feeding strategy: it's a lepidophage, meaning it targets the scales and fins of other fish rather than hunting invertebrates the way most puffers in the hobby do. That detail alone should tell you something important about keeping it with tankmates. Housing it with other fish is a serious risk, and most keepers who have tried it report persistent fin-nipping at best and genuine injury at worst. It's a species best kept alone or researched very carefully before any community attempt. The green iridescence it carries gives it a distinctive look that draws people in, and with a lifespan pushing a decade it's a real commitment. A reasonable choice for an intermediate keeper who goes in with clear eyes about its behavior and sets up the tank accordingly.