Green Spotted Puffer
Dichotomyctere nigroviridis
Also sold as GSP · Spotted green pufferfish
Green Spotted Puffer (Dichotomyctere nigroviridis) is an aggressive freshwater fish that reaches about 17 cm (6.7 in) and swims in open water. It wants 75–82°F (24–28°C) and pH 7.5–8.5, can be kept singly, and needs a tank of at least 108 L (29 gal).
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At a glance
| Type | Fish |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 17 cm (6.7 in) |
| Minimum tank | 108 L (29 gal) |
| Group size | Can be kept singly |
| Temperature | 75–82°F (24–28°C) |
| pH | 7.5–8.5 |
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Eats shrimp | Yes |
Before it goes in
- Green Spotted Puffer needs at least 108 L (29 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the 29 Gallon.
- It eats small fish and shrimp — anything under about 5.7 cm (2.2 in). In this library that means Cherry Shrimp, Rummy Nose Tetra and Crystal Red Shrimp.
- It is the wrong size to share a tank with Iridescent Shark: it ends up as food.
- It holds at 75–82°F (24–28°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp, but not with Goldfish and Dojo Loach.
- It is aggressive — plan the tank around it rather than adding it to a finished community.
- It nips fins, so long-finned fish are a bad match.
- It eats soft-leaved plants. Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis' and Bacopa caroliniana will not last with it; tough-leaved Anubias nana 'Petite' and Marimo Moss Ball will.
- One of them takes up roughly 37% of what a 29 Gallon will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.
Green Spotted Puffer: care and setup
What tank size does it need?
At least 108 L (29 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the 29 Gallon.
Will it eat shrimp?
Yes. Shrimp are food to it, so pick one or the other.
What water does it want?
75–82°F (24–28°C), pH 7.5–8.5.
Good tank mates
- Tank mates from this library that share its temperature window, are peaceful and eat neither it nor its young: Bristlenose Pleco, Celestial Pearl Danio, Molly, Otocinclus and Ramshorn Snail.
- Plants that hold up with it: Anubias nana 'Petite', Marimo Moss Ball, Subwassertang and Anubias barteri.
Often compared with
| Green Spotted Puffer | Green Fire Tetra | Spotted Blue-eye | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult size | 17 cm | 4.5 cm | 3.8 cm |
| Min tank | 108 L | 54 L | 41 L |
| Group | 1+ | 6+ | 8+ |
| Temperature | 75–82°F (24–28°C) | 68–79°F (20–26°C) | 70–82°F (21–28°C) |
| Eats shrimp | Yes | Shrimplets only | Shrimplets only |