Banded Puffer (Colomesus psittacus)

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Banded Puffer

Colomesus psittacus.jpg
Banded Puffer

Colomesus psittacus

379 Litres (100 US G.)

25.4-30.5cm (10-12 ")

pH

7.0 - 8.3

24 -26 °C (75.2-78.8°F)

8-10 °d

1:1 M:F

Carnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods
Other (See article)

5-15 years

Family

Tetraodontidae

This animal is available captive bred



Additional names

Banded Puffer, Parrot Puffer

Additional scientific names

Tetrodon psittacus


Origin

Found in the Western Atlantic from the Gulf of Paria to the Amazon River in Brazil.


Sexing

It is not possible to visually sex this fish.


Tank compatibility

Is most often found alone or in groups of 2-3 of their own kind, never larger groups. A generally peaceful puffer.


Diet

Feeds mainly on molluscs.


Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.


Environment specifics

Needs a very large and matured tank.


Behaviour

A generally peaceful puffer.


Identification

Often confused with the closely related Amazon Puffer, which it arrives in mixed shipments of. The Amazon Puffer is pure freshwater, while the Banded Puffer is brackish. The Amazon Puffer has more irregular banding, while the Banded Puffer has more consistent banding. The most reliable way is that the Banded Puffer has a broken band on the caudal peduncle which is continuous on the Amazon Puffer.

Pictures

External links