Dwarf pufferfish

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Carinotetraodon
Dwarf pufferCarinotetraodon travancoricus
Dwarf puffer
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Tetraodontidae
Genus: Carinotetraodon
Species: C. travancoricus
Binomial name
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
(S. L. Hora & K. K. Nair, 1941)

The dwarf pufferfish, also known as the Malabar pufferfish, pea pufferfish or pygmy pufferfish, Carinotetraodon travancoricus is a small, freshwater pufferfish endemic to the River Pamba in Kerala, Southwest India. Maximum size is 22 mm (less than one inch), making it one of the smallest pufferfish in the world.[1] Although closely related to marine pufferfish, they are not found in brackish or salt water, and reports to the contrary are based on misidentification.[2]

Contents

[edit] Appearance

Both sexes are primarily yellow with dark green to black iridescent patches on the flanks and dorsal surface, but as with other members of the genus, sexual dimorphism is apparent in mature fish, with males being more brightly coloured than females.[3] Males can also have a dark stripe down the center of their pale belly and iridescent "eye wrinkle" patterns that females lack. If possible, a female to male ratio of 2 to 1 is recommended to reduce aggression in captive fish.

[edit] Reproduction

Often dwarf pufferfish are plant-spawners, laying eggs in plants, including java moss in aquariums. Eggs have been seen to hatch after five days at 27 celsius, with fry initially feeding on insuforia, brine shrimp when they're a week old, and finally regular-sized food when possible.[4] Dwarf pufferfish have also been known to scatter their eggs on the substrate hidden within vegetation. The eggs are fertilised externally. They do not guard their eggs or fry.[5][6]

[edit] Conservation

Dwarf pufferfish are not used as food but are traded as aquarium fish.[7] Although not currently on the IUCN Red List some authorities believe this species may be endangered.[8]

[edit] Diet

The diet of dwarf pufferfish in the wild has not been reported, but other members of the genus feed on zooplankton and various benthic crustaceans and molluscs.[9] Food items of specimens maintained in aquaria appears to be similar.[10] Despite what the fish store may indicate, these puffers will most likely not eat flake fish food. If you are persistent, you may be able to feed them dried worms. They will eat frozen bloodworms with relish, but their favorite treat is a couple of small snails. (To get the full beak trimming goodness, the snails should not be too much bigger than the puffer's eye; that way they can chomp them whole instead of just sucking them out of the shell). Puffers are notoriously messy eaters, so make sure you aren't overfeeding, and that you have a good filtration system.

[edit] Dwarf pufferfish in aquaria

Dwarf pufferfish have become quite popular aquarium fish thanks to their attractive colours, small size, and relative ease of maintenance.[11] Like all pufferfish, they are aggressive and it is highly recommended to keep them in a "species only" tank. However, a heavily planted aquarium will reduce aggression slightly, as the plants help block direct lines of sight. Introduction of dwarf pufferfish can also be a very good way of removing an unwanted snail infestation.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ebert, Klaus (2001). The Puffers of Fresh and Brackish Water, p 19. Aqualog, ISBN 393170260X.
  2. ^ Schäfer F. Brackish Water Fishes, p 34. Aqualog 2005, ISBN 3-936027-82-X
  3. ^ Ebert, Klaus (2001). The Puffers of Fresh and Brackish Water, pp 46-49. Aqualog, ISBN 393170260X.
  4. ^ Ralph, Chris (2003). Practical Fishkeeping: Pufferfish, p. 61. ISBN 1-86054-233-6
  5. ^ Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.. Reproduction Summary: Carinotetraodon travancoricus. FishBase. Retrieved on 2007-03-07.
  6. ^ Wenzel, R. (2004). Carinotetraodon travancoricus. Die Aquarien- und Terrarienzeitschrift 1/2004:36-37
  7. ^ Ebert, Klaus (2001). The Puffers of Fresh and Brackish Water, p 19. Aqualog, ISBN 393170260X.
  8. ^ "Carinotetraodon travancoricus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. March 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.
  9. ^ Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.. Food Items Reported for Carinotetraodon lorteti. FishBase. Retrieved on 2007-03-07.
  10. ^ Ebert, Klaus (2001). The Puffers of Fresh and Brackish Water, p 19. Aqualog, ISBN 393170260X.
  11. ^ Ebert, Klaus (2001). The Puffers of Fresh and Brackish Water, p 19. Aqualog, ISBN 393170260X.

[edit] External links

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