Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Green Spotted Puffer
Dichotomyctere nigroviridis
Also called Spotted green pufferfish, GSP, Tetraodon nigroviridis (older name)
From South and Southeast Asia, from Sri Lanka and India through Indochina, Indonesia and the Philippines and north to China, in rivers, floodplains, estuaries and mangroves123
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Scaleless pufferfish body that can inflate
A rounded, chunky puffer with a bright green back covered in bold black spots and a clean white belly. It has a short beak, big expressive eyes and can puff up when startled. Wild fish reach about 15 to 17 cm, while aquarium fish often stay nearer 10 cm.23
Personality what they are like
Bold, inquisitive and full of character. It is a determined hunter with a strong will, so it tends to nip fins and is usually happiest without delicate tankmates.231
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A busy, active swimmer that needs room to patrol and plenty of decor to explore.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep water warm at about 24 to 28 C with a pH around 7.5 to 8.5 and hard water. Young fish are often kept in light brackish water, with salinity raised as they grow; Wikipedia notes adults kept at high brackish levels (about SG 1.015). Provide strong filtration, and shelled foods to keep the beak trimmed.231
Home where they are happiest
Seriously Fish recommends a tank with a base of at least 120 x 30 cm (around 108 litres); FishBase lists 60 cm as a bare minimum length. Salt should be added to the water, especially for adults.21
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Eats mostly snails in the wild, along with other molluscs, crustaceans, worms and a little plant matter. Offer whole snails, crab, prawns and other shell-on foods plus frozen foods.312
Company who they like around
Often kept as a solo fish. It can be quarrelsome with its own kind, though Seriously Fish notes groups of four or more in a big tank can spread out the tension. Any companions should be robust and quick.23
The story where it all began
Marion de Procé described this puffer in 1822. It became a familiar aquarium fish and, in the early 2000s, a laboratory star when its compact genome was sequenced and published in 2004. It was bred in captivity at the University of Florida in 2009.3
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It has one of the smallest known vertebrate genomes, around 340 million base pairs, which made it a model species for genetics research.3
- 2
Its genome sequence was published in 2004.3
- 3
Juveniles tend to live in brackish water while adults can be found in freshwater rivers and floodplains, showing how widely it tolerates salinity.3
- 4
Researchers at the University of Florida achieved captive breeding of the species in February 2009.3
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 2020)1
- FishBase
- Listed as Dichotomyctere nigroviridis (Marion de Procé, 1822), formerly Tetraodon nigroviridis1
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Green Spotted Puffer. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water testevery week
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Glass cleanevery week
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Green Spotted Puffer?
Feed your puffer small amounts once or twice a day. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests daily feeding, but always check the food label and ask your vet for the right portion size.231 Pet Wiki plan
What does a Green Spotted Puffer eat, and what should it never eat?
It loves whole snails, crab, prawns, and other shell-on foods, plus frozen foods. Never feed it soft, shell-less foods, as it needs crunchy items to keep its beak trimmed.231
How much space does a Green Spotted Puffer need?
A tank with a base of at least 120 x 30 cm (around 108 litres) is recommended, though 60 cm length is a bare minimum. This active swimmer needs room to patrol and explore.21
What temperature, light or water does a Green Spotted Puffer need?
Keep water warm at 24 to 28°C with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5 and hard water. Young fish do well in light brackish water, while adults need higher salinity (around SG 1.015). Provide strong filtration.231
How often should I clean a Green Spotted Puffer's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests a weekly water test and a 10 to 20% water change every two weeks, plus weekly glass cleaning. Top up evaporation daily with fresh RO water, not salt water. Pet Wiki plan
Can a Green Spotted Puffer live with others?
It is often kept solo, as it can nip fins. If you want tankmates, choose robust, quick fish, or keep a group of four or more in a large tank to spread out tension.23
How long does a Green Spotted Puffer live?
Lifespan varies depending on care and environment. For specific details, ask your vet or a good breeder, as it depends on water quality and diet.
Can I handle a Green Spotted Puffer?
It is best not to handle this fish, as it can puff up when startled and its scaleless body is delicate. Enjoy watching its bold, inquisitive personality from outside the tank.23
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Figure 8 PufferWhere this comes from
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.
- FishBase: Dichotomyctere nigroviridis, Spotted green pufferfish fishbase.seused for size, environment, temperature, pH, distribution, IUCN status, diet
- Seriously Fish: Tetraodon nigroviridis seriouslyfish.comused for water parameters, tank size, diet, compatibility, appearance
- Wikipedia: Green spotted puffer en.wikipedia.orgused for history, genome facts, salinity by age, diet, fun facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.