The Dogface Puffer is a saltwater species which is not very aggressive and features big expressive eyes and a pouty little mouth. The Dogface Puffer is considered reef safe with caution because it may devours the species of invertebrates and will eat snails, sea urchins, crustaceans, but usually doesn?t cause any damage to corals. It should be kept in a tank not less than 35 gallon, and with its unique physiology, it makes a captivating addition to any tank. The dogface pufferfish does well in an aquarium with moderately aggressive aquarium inhabitants e.g., angelfish and surgeonfish. The Dogface Puffer thrives well in a temperature range of 74-80 degree Fahrenheit, and pH of 8.1-8.4. It is sometimes hard to feed, and if it is present in bad quality water it may feel stressed and insecure. The Dogface Puffer can be kept on a diet of shrimp, squid, marine fish flakes, clams, crabs and other meaty marine food. Like other puffer fishes, this fish also inflates its body to twice its normal size to protect itself from ingestion from predators. It should be provided with several crevices to retreat to or to slumber in at night. Be sure not to expose the Dogface Puffer to air, since it may ingest air and expelling it can be difficult. That is why, if you wish to transfer this fish from one aquarium to another, always use a container instead of net. Feed your Dogface Puffer some food laced with the drug fenbendazole, which will have to be acquired from your vet to preclude the fish from having internal parasites.
The family of Puffers is a distinct family marked by their ability to ingest water into the ventral portion of their body causing them to blow up for protection. These fish also have incredibly strong plated mouth structures that are used to bite and crush even the toughest shells.Almost all puffers are slow swimming fishes with powerful jaws made up of fused teeth feeding on a variety of slow moving and often hard animals. Also have a poison in their skin, tissues and organs. The poison is an alkaloid nerve poison.They will do well in a fish-only aquarium. Keep only one per tank.Puffers have bodies that are very rounded and often tapered at the mouth and caudal (tail) fin regions. Color varies, but many species have light spots and or spines.Feeds mainly on mollusks (hard, powerful teeth enable them to break through mollusk shells); also fed on other invertebrates including sponges and coral.
