Care
The Bronze Puffer is known from medium-large sized rivers and streams where there is moderate current. This active, streamlined species is extremely aggressive and will not tolerate any other fish within the confines of the same aquarium, so each individual must be maintained as a solitary specimen in a species-only tank. It is not unknown for these fierce fish to 'go for' livestock that can be seen in neighbouring tanks; indeed, in the wild these puffers devour small fish and fish scales/fins, in addition to shrimps, seeds, and terrestrial insects. When carrying out routine maintenance on the aquarium, it would be prudent to section off areas with a tank divider, to avoid accidentally provoking the puffer, which sees anything that moves (including the fingers) as food. The tank itself should be aquascaped with plenty of shady hiding spots amongst rocky caves, driftwood, and areas of dense, robust planting. 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. When it comes to feeding time, add food with caution and never place the hands directly in the tank to offer up the food. Dropping it in from a height of several inches is best. As with other puffer species, this fish can inflate when frightened or cornered. It should never be provoked into doing so, and never above water where it can take on air, which can prove fatal. If moving a Bronze 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 it clear of the water. May also be seen on sale as the Golden Puffer.
Feeding
Meaty frozen foods such as Mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, 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.
