The Green Spotted Puffer is a highly unique and interesting fish. Unfortunately the Green Spotted Puffer (GSP) is often misunderstood. Commonly sold as a freshwater fish, the GSP will only do well without marine salt in its water for a very short time. A good brackish setup is needed for health and longevity of the GSP. They should be kept in large aquariums, with no less than 30 gallons per puffer, as they grow to be six inches.

A big issue with these fish is the question of tank mates. Some have reported success in keeping the Green Spotted puffers with the Figure Eight Puffer, which when young looks very similar to the Green Spotted Puffer. However, the Figure 8 will only get to 4″ and is much less aggressive, while the GSP will get up to 6″ and is extremely aggressive as an adult. Some other possible tank mates could be mollies, scats, monos, archerfish, and bumblebee gobies. However, it is not uncommon for a puffer to get along with one of these tank mates for many months and then as soon as a sign of weakness shows or space becomes crowded, the puffer will eat the other fish. The best setup for them is species only, with either only one specimen or a large tank with several GSPs.

These puffers require immaculate upkeep. They are scaleless and lack gill covers, so they should only be placed in a pre-cycled aquarium. Weekly water changes are recommended, as well as over filtration. They are intolerant of ammonia and nitrite, and should be kept with low nitrates. The puffer’s tank will soon be overrun with algae, but since there are no cleaners that will not be devoured by the puffers, it is up to the owner to take care of the algae. These fish are almost guaranteed to not breed in your aquarium. It is impossible to sex them, and nothing is known about the conditions needed for them to breed.