- Tetraodon biocellatus
Taxobox
name = Figure 8 pufferfish
regnum =Animalia
phylum =Chordata
classis =Actinopterygii
ordo =Tetraodontiformes
familia =Tetraodontidae
genus = "Tetraodon "
species = "biocellatus"
binomial = "Tetraodon biocellatus"
binomial_authority = Tirant, 1885The figure 8 puffer, "Tetraodon biocellatus", is a
pufferfish found infreshwater inSoutheast Asia .Characteristics
Figure 8 puffers grow to about 3" long ["Tetraodon biocellatus", Fishbase.org, http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=25175 (Retrieved 25th July 2007)] . They are colourful fish, with greenish yellow patterns on their backs. These patterns vary greatly from fish to fish, but the markings either side of the caudal fin resemble the number eight, or eye-spots (earning the species another common name as 'Eye-spot puffer'). Figure 8 puffers are relatively peaceful among
tetraodontidae , and have been kept successfully with other fish such as bumblebee gobies andmollies , but as with all pufferfish there is a risk that tankmates will not be tolerated.Like all members of the
Tetraodon family, the figure 8 puffer is capable of inflating itself with water or air when stressed or otherwise frightened.Diet
Pufferfish are classed as molluscivores and feed mainly on
benthic organisms which may includemussels ,cockles ,oysters andkrill . Their teeth, a beak formed from two plates, are capable of crushing shells in order to feed on prey. In captivity many fishkeepers feed snails as a substitute for hard-shelled food since this keeps the beak, otherwise susceptible to overgrowth, trim.Conditions in captivity
In captivity, figure 8 puffers require a 15 US gallon tank with temperatures between 24°C and 28°C. They are sensitive to
nitrites andnitrates and must be introduced into a fully cycled aquarium. Over-filtration is recommended. Water pH will reflect the brackish environment to which these fish are best suited; the addition of marine salt will buffer the pH to a range between 7.8 and 8.3. A salinity of between 1.005 and 1.008 specific gravity (S.G.) has been found to increase the lifespan of this species to as long as 15 years [The Puffer Forum, http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Brackish/T_Biocellatus/ (Retrieved 25th July 2007)] .References
Bibliography
Ebert, K. (2001), "The Puffers of Fresh and Brackish Water", p 19. Aqualog, ISBN 393170260X.
External links
*FishBase_species|genus= Tetraodon |species= biocellatus |year=2007|month=July
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