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stellate puffer

Scientific name Arothron stellatus
Descriptor Anonyme
Year of description 1798
IUCN category (World) LC
Family Tetraodontidae
Genus Arothron
Arothron stellatus Arothron stellatus
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Introduction

The Arothron stellatus, more commonly known as the stellate puffer, is a tropical fish found from East Africa to Japan. It can be found in the Red Sea, in the seas of Southeast Asia up to Japan. It is the largest pufferfish described to date.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Type
    pufferfish
  • Average size
    50 cm
  • Maximum size
    65 cm
  • Shape
    Oval
  • Pattern
    ponctuations
  • Type
    pufferfish
  • Average size
    50 cm
  • Maximum size
    65 cm
  • Shape
    Oval
  • Pattern
    ponctuations

How to recognize the stellate puffer ?

This species belongs to the group of pufferfish. These fish are nicknamed like this because they have the ability to inflate themselves when they feel threatened.

To achieve this inflation, they swallow water and fill their stomach to more than double their volume. This is made possible by their stretchy skin. This subterfuge makes them look much more impressive to their predators. They are also much more complicated to swallow. This change in shape becomes a disadvantage for these fish that, once inflated, can hardly move.

As an adult, this species is two-tone with a predominantly black and beige pattern. It is covered in dark brown spots. Juveniles are easily identifiable by their brown backs and characteristic stripes on the belly.

Sexual dimorphism

Dimorphism not specified.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    omnivorous with carnivorous tendency
  • Sociability
    solitary
  • territorial
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

Tetrodotoxin or TTX is a neurotoxin produced by bacteria. In this species, it is present in large quantities in the liver, viscera and gonads but is also found in the skin.

Females are more toxic than males, this is due to the high concentration of TTX in the ovaries.

When poisoned, TTX is fatal in more than 50% of cases. This neurotoxin acts on the pores of the sodium channels, which stops the passage of nerve impulses, resulting in partial or total paralysis. Death is most often due to respiratory paralysis triggering cardiac arrest by collapse.

The stellate puffer is a solitary fish. It is an independent fish that pays little attention to other fish species.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert

The stellate puffer is an oviparous fish. The mode of reproduction still seems to be fairly unknown.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC
France : NE

Where to see this species?

Oniria

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    22 - 26 °C
  • Depth
    4 - 30 m
  • Flow
    Strong and Medium

Biotope presentation

The stellate puffer is most often found at depths less than 30m. However, it is not impossible to find this fish at other depths. It can be seen both in open water, near the surface, and in estuaries.

Species of the same biotope

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

  • Min volume
    3000 liters
  • Population min
    1
  • Temperature
    22 - 26 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    8.2 - 8.4

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    moderate
  • Robustness
    tolerant
  • Behaviour
    peaceful
  • Availability
    rare

General reminders

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

The realization of a seawater aquarium requires certain knowledge beforehand. Seawater is generally synthetic, consisting of reverse osmosis water and synthetic salt at a level of 33g / liters. It is also possible to take seawater directly (after making sure that the water is not polluted). The operation of a seawater aquarium is done in three phases: the installation of a living stone decoration, the introduction of invertebrates one month later, and the introduction of fish 3 months later. It is essential to wait as long as possible before to introduce the animals so that the micro-fauna has had time to develop well. The balance and the physico-chemical stability are fundamental for the success of this type of tank.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for the stellate puffer

The stellate puffer is a marine species which lives naturally at a temperature between 22 °C and 26 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 29°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month. In seawater, it is also possible to remove nitrates using one of the following methods: Jaubert, denitrator on sulfur, biopeletts, vodka method.

The breeding of this species is accessible on condition of being well informed about its needs in aquarium . Any cohabitants must be chosen with care to avoid the loss of animals.

This species is very rare in the aquarium trade. Instead, it is maintained by knowledgeable aquarists who own and breed individuals from wild origin strains. If you want to get this species, we advise you to contact specialized clubs. }Specimens from long time breeding are a bit easier to breed but you have to respect the particular water parameters.

Formal incompatibilities

Be careful, the stellate puffer is incompatible with molluscs, crustacean, algae and corals.

Cohabitation & Environment

In a community aquarium context, this species should be kept in a minimum volume of 3000 liters.

The stellate puffer is a peaceful species that generally does not exhibit behavioral problems in a community aquarium.

As previously said, The stellate puffer is a species that lives naturally in the current. Thus, we advise the installation of an oversized filtration system (10 to 20 times the volume of the tank) in order to guarantee a strong current and especially a strong oxygenation. A venturi system will improve the dissolved oxygen rate during summer.

Tips for feeding

The stellate puffer is omnivorous with carnivorous tendency.

This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.

You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.

Reproduction protocol

  • egg-laying protection
    Yes

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.

These animals might interest you

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

BioObs fishbase EOL

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

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Template and content © Fishipedia - Unauthorized reproduction without prior request - ISSN 2270-7247 - Last modification 12/11/2023

Where to see this species?

Oniria

Scientific partners

UICN France fishbase Worms BioObs

Tags

#Tetraodontidae

#Arothron

#barrière de corail

#estuaire

#plein eau

#tombant

#pufferfish

#Persian Gulf

#Great Barrier Reef

#mer d'Oman

#Tasman Sea

#Philippine Sea

#Sea of Japan

#Red Sea

#South East Asian Seas

#Indonesian seas

#Bali

#Réunion

#Lombok

#Nusa Penida

#French Polynesia

Species of the same family

Same genus

Species of the same biotope

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