Care
Fang's Puffer is known from the Chao Phraya and Mekong River basins, where it is most commonly found in lakes, ponds, and the slower reaches of rivers. Although fairly small, this is an extremely aggressive species which 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 creatures to 'go for' fish that can be seen in neighbouring tanks, and there are many reports of nasty injuries to fishkeepers when carrying out routine maintenance on a tank containing a Fang's Puffer. Many prefer to section off areas of the tank with a special tank divider as they are working on each section, to avoid accidentally provoking the puffer, which sees anything that moves as food. The tank itself should be aquascaped with plenty of shady hiding spots amongst rocky caves and areas of dense, robust planting. The substrate should be smooth because of the length of time the puffer will spend laying on it, particularly after a large meal. 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. 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, 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 Fang's 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.
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
There is a report of this species having been bred in the home aquarium, but details are few and far between. The male fish is supposed to guard the eggs, which may number 100-150. However, he will predate on the fry once hatched (6-7 days at 28 °C). Due to the antisocial nature of this species, particularly in the confines of the home aquarium, breeding attempts are very risky. Always have a tank divider to hand.
