All fish / Tetraodontidae

Papuan Toby

Canthigaster papua

Also known as papuan sharpnose puffer, papuan puffer, false-eye toby, blue-spotted toby, papua toby, ocellated toby, パプアキタマクラ, buntal papua, 巴布亚扁背鲀, 巴布亚尖鼻鲀

A small sharpnose puffer with an orange-brown body covered in pale blue spots and a dark eye-spot ringed in blue below the dorsal fin. It is kept for its lively, curious character and bright colours while staying small enough for modest marine tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Singly, or a mated pair in a larger tank

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, chopped shrimp, clam, squid, snails and shell-on foods to keep the beak worn

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Maldives

Breeding

Pairs lay sticky eggs in algae on the bottom, and the male guards them until they hatch. It is rarely bred in home aquariums because the tiny larvae need very fine live foods.

Good to know

Not reef safe, as it nips corals, clams, ornamental shrimp and the fins of slow fish; its skin and organs contain toxins, so it should never be eaten. Easily confused with the similar Canthigaster solandri.