The Valentini Puffer is also known as the black saddle puffer. Unlike other fish, it uses its pectoral fins for forward and backward movement. When threatened, it generally inflates its body by taking in water in an attempt to prevent others from eating it. In that case, we advice you to use a container as opposed to a net when removing or transferring fish, to avoid ingestion of air. The Valentini Puffer is a very sensitive, scale less, specialized fish that requires excellent water conditions and therefore, is not considered a good fish for beginners. It is not at all considered reef safe, as it tends to nip over the corals and even fins, which means it can be housed only with limited species. The Valentini Puffer should never be combined with long fin fishes, as it tends to make holes in fins. It should be kept singly or in pairs in a large tank, as it needs an adequate space to live peacefully, lest the males become too aggressive. When trying to keep puffers with other fishes, it is essential to provide plenty of space, hiding holes and decorations that will allow your puffer to create its own territory. The Valentini Puffer is omnivore and can be fed with vitamin-enriched shrimp, chopped cockle, vegetable matter, or green filamentous algae, and sometimes even hard shelled shrimp to wear down their ever growing teeth. It has not been bred in captivity, and it doesn?t have ?beaks? and instead has ?plate? like teeth, which if overgrown, may require an emergency action. The Valentini Puffer should not be kept in a tank less than 30 gallon, and since it is toxic in nature, it is best suitable to keep in fish-only aquarium.
The Valentini, a.k.a. Saddled Toby, is often thought of as a very cute Puffer. These little guys are white with brown saddel bands which resemble dripping paint and many small spots. They have bright eyes and have an inquisitive nature. They will do well in a fish-only aquarium. Keep only one per tank.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. They also have a poison in their skin, tissues and organs. The poison is an alkaloid nerve poison.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.Puffers feed mainly on mollusks (hard, powerful teeth enable them to break through mollusk shells). They also fed on other invertebrates, including sponges and coral.Photo by Saltwaterfish.com member, Aaron Blender.
