All fish / Tetraodontidae

Bornean Red-eye Puffer

Carinotetraodon borneensis

Also known as borneo red eye puffer, red eye puffer, bornean puffer, borneo puffer, redeye puffer, buntal, ボルネオレッドアイパファー, 婆罗洲红眼河豚

This small puffer has a mottled brown and golden body, bright red eyes and, in males, a raisable belly and back keel that shows red, blue and dark colours during display. Keepers like it for its curious behaviour and active personality in a modest, densely planted blackwater-style tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

5 to 7

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Singly, or one male with several females in a well-planted tank

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen bloodworm, small snails, daphnia, brine shrimp and other small invertebrates

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Borneo (Sarawak, Malaysia and Kalimantan, Indonesia)

Breeding

It has been bred in aquariums, with females scattering eggs among fine-leaved plants or moss after the male displays, and the male may guard them for a short time. Fry are tiny and need infusoria and then newly hatched brine shrimp, so raising them takes some effort.

Good to know

Males are territorial and nip fins, so it is best kept in a species-only tank. It is often confused with or sold as Carinotetraodon irrubesco or C. salivator, and it is a true freshwater fish that does not need salt.