Care
The Jewel Pufferfish is known from a wide variety of habitats including sheltered rocky reefs, intertidal reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs, habitually between depths of 10-36 m (33-118ft). Adults are often found in pairs, whereas juveniles may be seen in small groups, staying close to corals or under ledges. This species is best maintained in a "fish only, with live rock" aquarium where it would pose no danger to corals, ornamental snails, shrimp and other small prized inverts. Tankmates should be chosen carefully; species with long fins should be avoided, as occasional puffer specimens will nip and leave their tell-tale circular holes in the fins. This behavior is more likely to become apparent in small areas, so adequate space must be given. Jewel Pufferfish should be kept singly, unless a mated male-female pair can be acquired, and even then, they should be watched carefully lest the male becomes too aggressive. Will fight with other members of the Canthigastergenus. This species is mimicked by the filefish Paraluteres arqat, which, in the wild, shoals with the Jewel Pufferfish so that predators avoid it - assuming it to be one of the toxic puffers. This mimic filefish should not be housed with its model puffer within the confines of an aquarium, as the pufferfish is likely to pick on it. As with all pufferfish, it should never be deliberately provoked into inflating itself. When handling this fish, it is best to herd it into a container, rather than using a net and lifting the fish clear of the water where it may ingest air. This species was once thought to be synonymous with the Papuan Toby (C. papua) but they are now considered distinct species. C. solandri is replaced by the Pearl Toby (C. margaritata)in the Red Sea. May also be seen on sale as the Spotted Sharpnose Pufferfish.
Feeding
Offer a varied diet for omnivores. Meaty items should include krill, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, chopped cockle/ mussel/ hard-shelled shrimp/ squid/ fish/clam meat etc., and herbivore rations such Nori, spirulina tablets, vegetable matter etc. Browse on red and green filamentous algae, red coralline algae, and devours many tiny cutters found in the live rock (this action should help keep the beak worn down). Feed small amounts 3 times per day.
Breeding
Jewel pufferfish have not been bred in captivity. In the wild, this species is known to form distinct pairs during spawning. The female will signal her readiness to spawn by displaying her belly (which will be swollen with eggs) to the male and he will then follow her closely. This courtship ritual of showing and following takes some time, with the resulting eggs laid/fertilized in a demersal nest, usually consisting of plant material such as within large tufts of algae. The female may spend a little time waggling her anal fin to push the eggs further into the clump, but after that, neither of the adults are said to show any parental care.
