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Fahaka Pufferfish
The Fahaka Pufferfish, also known as the Nile Puffer (Tetraodon lineatus), is a fascinating and demanding freshwater aquarium fish known for its large size and extremely aggressive temperament.
Tank and Water Requirements
Due to their size, intelligence, and high waste production, Fahaka Puffers require a substantial commitment.
Tank Size:Minimum: 450 litres (around 120 US gallons) is the absolute minimum for a small juvenile, but this fish grows rapidly.
Recommended Adult Size: 600 litres (150+ US gallons) or larger is strongly recommended for a full-grown adult to ensure adequate swimming space and turning radius.
Filtration: Needs extremely powerful and robust filtration (canister filters or sumps are often used) to handle their heavy bioload (waste). Regular, large partial water changes are essential to maintain low nitrates.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24−28 ∘C
pH: 7.0−8.5
Substrate: Smooth sand or fine, smooth gravel is preferred as they are known to wallow or burrow in the substrate, and rough materials can injure their soft underside.
Aquascaping: Provide plenty of hiding spots like large driftwood, caves, and durable rocks to create cover and visual barriers. Ensure all decor is smooth.
Diet and Feeding
Fahaka Puffers are carnivores and require a varied, protein-rich diet, which is also crucial for maintaining their dental health.
Staple Diet: Meaty frozen and live foods such as:
Hard-shelled foods (essential for wearing down their continuously growing beak): snails (e.g., pond snails, ramshorn), cockles-in-shell, mussels-in-shell, crab legs, and crayfish.
Other foods: Prawns, krill, and earthworms.
Dental Care: Providing hard-shelled foods is non-negotiable. If their beak grows too long due to a lack of abrasive food, they may require a professional trim (vet intervention).
Compatibility and Temperament
The Fahaka Puffer's temperament is the single most important consideration for keepers.
Extreme Aggression: They are one of the most aggressive freshwater puffer species and are generally considered solitary fish.
Tank Mates: It is highly recommended to keep a Fahaka Puffer in a species-only tank (alone).
Risk: They will aggressively attack and kill or severely injure most other fish. Even large, fast-moving fish are at risk of being bitten, which can be lethal due to the puffer's sharp, powerful beak. Their personality can be unpredictable, sometimes cohabiting peacefully for a while before suddenly becoming killers.
Caution to Keeper: They have been known to "go for" keepers' hands during maintenance and can inflict serious bites. Exercise extreme caution when working in the tank.
Note:As with all puffers, they can inflate (puff up) when stressed or threatened. Never provoke a puffer to inflate, and never allow it to take in air from above the water, as this can be fatal. If relocation is necessary, use a solid container under the water rather than a net.
