Recently, our team of Aquarists were sorting through and preparing a batch of newly delivered mysid shrimps when they spotted an unexpected animal hiding amongst them–a juvenile Spotted Green Pufferfish.
Mysid shrimps are a popular food choice for many species in their natural habitat. Wherever there is an abundance of shrimp there is likely to be other small animals feeding on them. The pufferfish was likely a bycatch when the shrimps were collected.
About the Spotted Green Pufferfish
The Spotted Green Pufferfish, Tetraodon nigroviridis, can usually be found in freshwater streams, rivers, flood plains and mangrove forests.
Found in Sri Lanka to Indonesia and north to China, they can typically reach a maximum length of 15cm. Their diet consists primarily of snails, but includes small invertebrates as well as plant material.
Finding a new home for the Spotted Green Pufferfish
After discovering the pufferfish, the Aquarists moved it into a temporary habitat occupied by cuttlefish eggs. This allows them to monitor the pufferfish whilst preparing its new habitat in our fish nursery.
When compared to cuttlefish eggs, they could really see how small the new arrival really was. It was only approximately 3mm in length.
Preparing a new home for it was straightforward. As a native of mangrove forests, the pufferfish can easily adapt to extreme environment changes due exposure to frequent salinity and temperature fluctuations.
As a native of mangrove forests, the pufferfish can easily adapt to extreme environment changes due exposure to frequent salinity and temperature fluctuations.
Still, at the S.E.A. Aquarium, the Aquarists aim to create an environment that mirrors the habitat that the animal was from. Juvenile pufferfish in the wild often seek refuge amongst mangrove roots, rocky outcrops or plant material. The new home was designed with this in mind and the Aquarists introduced a river gravel and rock to give the pufferfish a place for shelter.
Behaviour and Feeding
In trying to follow their natural diet, the pufferfish regularly feed on a combination of mysid shrimps and other crustaceans as they grow. Pufferfish also feed on plants and therefore small pieces of lettuce and zucchini are placed in the habitat for the pufferfish to graze upon.
Today, the new arrival has successfully adapted to its new environment and has been joined by other small fishes such as the Silver Mooney, Spotted Scat and Archerfish.
Once the pufferfish reaches adulthood, it will be transferred into our mangrove habitat to join more Spotted Green Pufferfish as well as other mangrove species.
