Ocellated pufferfish

About

Found in the slow-moving ponds, canals, and river systems of South and Southeast Asia, Leiodon cutcutia ranges across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and into the Malay archipelago, with populations also recorded from the Mekong basin. Despite being listed here as a saltwater fish, this species is actually a freshwater puffer, inhabiting everything from quiet village beels to medium and large river channels. It is a compact puffer, reaching somewhere between three and a half to just under six inches as an adult, which makes it manageable compared to some of its larger relatives. Like all puffers, it is a dedicated carnivore with the beak-like dentition to match, and it will make short work of snails, crustaceans, and meaty prepared foods. Also like its relatives, it carries a personality that falls somewhere between curious and combative. Puffers as a group tend to nip at tankmates, and this species is no exception, so choosing companions carefully matters. Keepers with some experience managing aggressive or nippy species will find it the most rewarding. One genuinely appealing trait is its longevity. With good care, this little puffer can be a companion for up to a decade.