Green spotted puffer

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A green spotted puffer may be one of several different species of fresh or brackish water pufferfish in the genus Tetraodon, including:

• Tetraodon fluviatilis^[1]
• Tetraodon nigroviridis^[1]
• Tetraodon cf. sabahensis^[2]

Distinguishing these species is difficult,^[1] in part because each species is highly variable in colouration.^[2] When puffers are discussed, you will generally see Tetraodon nigroviridis referred to as the green spotted puffer, Tetraodon fluviatilis referred to as the ceylon puffer, and Tetraodon sabahensis referred to as the Sabahensis puffer, though all three could correctly be described as having green coloration and spots. In online fish discussions, GSP is very commonly used as an abbreviation for green spotted puffer. Many pet stores sell these fish as freshwater species, but their natural habitat is a brackish water (low saline content) environment, so they require a brackish water aquarium for long term health. Since they will survive for long periods in fresh water, some pet stores advise customers that it is acceptable to keep GSPs in freshwater tanks, but many people concerned with providing the best living conditions for their aquatic pets agree that this is not a responsible way to keep these animals. Marine environments contain more salt than they are generally found in, but the fish seem to thrive in them and are occasionally recovered from these waters.(reference needed)

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Monks N. (editor): Brackish Water Fishes, TFH 2006, ISBN 0793805643
2. ^ ^{a b} Ebert Klaus: The Puffers of Fresh and Brackish Water, Aqualog 2005, ISBN 393170260X