Family: Tetraodontidae
Range: Indo-Pacific
Size: Up to 26 inches
Diet: Carnivore
Tank Set-up: Marine: Coral or rock, plants
Reef Compatible: No
Tank Conditions: 72-78ºF; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4
Minimum Tank Capacity: 180 gallon
Light: High
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Swimming Level: No specific level
Care Level: Moderate
Reproduction: Egg Scatterer
The Map Puffer, also known as the Scribbled Toadfish and Scribbled Arothron Puffer, has a very distinct and vivid appearance. The main color ranges from light tans to dark yellows and it has a network of black "scribbles" covering the body, forming an intricate pattern. It lacks pelvic fins, but has learned to use the pectoral fins to move about the aquarium.
It has the ability to inflate its body to almost twice its normal size when threatened or alarmed. While "puffed up," its spines are held straight out from the body to discourage others from trying to eat it. Parts of the flesh are poisonous if digested. Its teeth are actually a fused beak-like structure.
A 180 gallon or larger, fish-only aquarium with a good protein skimmer is suitable. It will generally live peacefully with other fish, even other Puffers. It will eat invertebrates found in a reef tank, as well as corals, and even aquarium apparatus. It becomes alarmed when in a net, therefore, use a container to transfer it.
The Map Puffer needs a varied diet of meaty foods including squid, krill, clams, and hard shelled shrimp to help wear down their ever growing teeth. It hunts at night, so it may only be seen during the nocturnal hours.
