Dogface Puffer
Arothron sp
Saltwater Fish
Species Group: Puffer
Family: Tetraodontidae
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Water parameters
Temp
76-80 F
Temperature
Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.
pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.
NO2 <0.0001 ppm NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.
SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About Dogface Puffer
General information
The Dogface Puffer is a saltwater species which is not very aggressive and features big expressive eyes and a pouty little mouth. The Dogface Puffer is considered reef safe with caution because it may devour the species of invertebrates and will eat snails, sea urchins, crustaceans, but usually doesn't cause any damage to corals. It should be kept in a medium sized tank with its unique physiology, it makes a captivating addition to any tank. The dogface pufferfish does well in an aquarium with moderately aggressive aquarium inhabitants e.g., angelfish and surgeonfish. It is sometimes hard to feed, and if it is present in bad quality water it may feel stressed and insecure. The Dogface Puffer can be kept on a diet of shrimp, squid, marine fish flakes, clams, crabs and other meaty marine food. Like other puffer fishes, this fish also inflates its body to twice its normal size to protect itself from ingestion from predators. It should be provided with several crevices to retreat to or to slumber in at night. Be sure not to expose the Dogface Puffer to air, since it may ingest air and expelling it can be difficult. That is why, if you wish to transfer this fish from one aquarium to another, always use a container instead of net.
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