Care
The Peacock Fugu Puffer is known from a variety of different habitats, depending on its life stage. Juveniles are found in brackish waters, but as they mature into adults, they move into the more saline waters of the ocean. Unfortunately, for years this species has been erroneously marketed in the trade as a freshwater species, but brackish conditions are absolutely essential for juvenile fish, and the salinity should be very gradually increased to full marine conditions as it matures. Always use marine salt that is intended for use in saltwater aquaria, and test regularly with a hydrometer. This is a highly aggressive species that will not tolerate conspecifics in the same aquarium, so is best maintained as a solitary specimen. Some aquarists have had success housing them alongside moderately aggressive, fast-swimming temperate species in larger quarters, but this is a risk; careful observation and a means of separating the fish may be necessary. The aquarium itself should be spacious and furnished with plenty of rockwork to create a number of hiding places, whilst still maintaining ample space for this energetic fish with its somewhat erratic swimming behaviour. There should be a sand substrate as this puffer sometimes likes to wallow, particularly after a large meal. Aragonite or crushed coral will help to maintain a stable alkaline pH. Filtration should be efficient with areas of moderate water movement and some calmer resting spots out of the current. Regular partial water changes are a must to help keep nitrate to a minimum, as these fish are particularly sensitive to the build up of pollutants. As with other puffer species, these fish can inflate when frightened or cornered. They should never be provoked into doing so, and never above water where they can take on air, which can prove fatal. If moving a Peacock Fugu Puffer to different quarters, the fish should be herded into a solid container under the water so as to remove the necessity of netting and lifting them clear of the water. It is also worth noting that this species is not considered reef safe (it will eat anemones, corals, and motile invertebrates). A means of chilling the water may be necessary during the warmer summer months, and during spells of particularly hot weather, it is essential to increase the dissolved oxygen level of the water or this fish will struggle. May also be seen on sale as the Ocellated Puffer or Orange Saddle Fugu Puffer.
Feeding
Meaty frozen foods such as Mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, chopped cockle and mussel meat, chopped shell-on prawns, small snails, crab legs, crayfish tails, partially opened cockle-in-shell etc should be given. Hard-shelled foods MUST be offered on a regular basis to help keep the beak in check. Some aquarists breed small aquatic snails in a separate nano aquarium, where they reproduce rapidly and can be easily harvested for feeding times.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium. Little is known about their breeding habits in the wild, other than the adults migrate upriver to spawn before returning to the sea.
