Dog Face Puffer

Dogface puffer alternately known as the blackspotted puffer is a saltwater fish indigenous to the tropical waters of the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. Their striking resemblance to canines alongside the dark or black spots on their body earns them the names dog face and blackspotted puffer, respectively.

Quick Information

Scientific Name	Arothron nigropunctatus
Other Names	Blackspotted puffer, Arothron dog face puffer
Origin	Along the Pacific Ocean’s central islands as well as parts of the Indian Ocean
Type	Saltwater fish
Conservation Status	Not recorded
Behavioral Characteristics	Solitary, diurnal, territorial, and a little aggressive about their domains
School Size	3 – 4
Physical Traits	Elongated, oval or spherical shaped body; small, symmetrical dorsal and anal fin situated to the end of its body; short, round snout with two pairs nostrils, bearing a resemblance to a dog; terminal mouth; four strong and hard teeth, mostly made for breaking hard shells of the invertebrates
Scales	They are devoid of scales
Colors	Grey, light or dark blue, light yellow, or orangish-yellow background with dark spots or blotches of varying shapes and sizes on the skin as well as the area around its mouth and eyes.
Size (How big do they get)	Big; about 13 inches (33 cm)
Lifespan	Approximately 10 years
Sexual Dimorphism	Barely present; though males are brighter than their female counterparts
Probable Diseases	Marine ich
Approximate Price (How much is it for)	$50 – 150 (depending on the size)

Tank Setup & Care Sheet Details

Care Level	Intermediate
Tank Size	75 gallons ( 284 liters) for a single fish

Water Parameters

pH Level	8.1 – 8.4
Temperature	74 – 82°F (23.3 – 27.7°C)
Hardness	8 – 12 dGH
Aquarium  Water Flow	Moderate

Tank Ambience

Lighting	No specific requirements
Substrate Type	Coral gravel, and pebbles
Tank Mates	Compatible with:  Species of triggerfish, angelfish, lionfish, and wrasses, as well as snowflake eels They even get along with other puffers that are not more aggressive than them Incompatible with: Aggressive fish like oscar, arowana, redtail catfish, and  invertebrates like shrimps and crabs
Suitable Position in the Tank	Bottom

Feeding

Diet	Meaty food like silversides and krill, invertebrates such as stony corals, coralline algae, crabs, mollusk, sponges, and shrimps
Frequency	2 – 3 times a day

Important Things to Know for Fish Keepers

• They have big teeth, which should be checked from time to time because in case it gets big, the fish would have trouble eating. Trim its teeth carefully and seek a fish veterinarian or expert’s help if required. The slightest cut may cause harm to its life.
• The dogface puffer fish’ beak keeps growing continually. Hence, they need hard-shelled invertebrates as a part of their diet so that their beak does not overgrow their mouth.
• One of the dog face puffer’s tendency in the wild on sensing danger is to inflate its body by swallowing air or water. They often display this trait in a tank environment, too, especially when stressed. Hence, care must be taken to avoid such incidences. If they swallow a lot of air and cannot get back to their standard size, then it could take a toll on the fish’s life.

FAQs