All fish / Tetraodontidae

Red-tail red-eye puffer

Carinotetraodon irrubesco

Also known as red-tail dwarf puffer, redtail puffer, red tail red eye puffer, red-tailed puffer, irrubesco puffer, red eye puffer, redtail redeye puffer, レッドテールレッドアイパファー, buntal ekor merah, 红尾娃娃, 红尾河豚

A small puffer from soft, acidic blackwater streams with red eyes and a brownish mottled body; males show a red-edged tail and dark belly, while females are plainer. It is kept for its lively, curious behaviour and manageable size, suiting a species tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 to 7

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

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

Diet

Carnivore: snails, bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, small crustaceans; rarely takes dried food

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Indonesia (Sumatra and Borneo, Kalimantan)

Breeding

Has been bred in captivity; males court females, and eggs are scattered among fine-leaved plants or moss. Fry are tiny and need infusoria then newly hatched brine shrimp, so raising them takes some care.

Good to know

Nips fins and is territorial, so it is best kept alone or with fast, robust dither fish. Often confused with Carinotetraodon salivator and C. borneensis, and it needs a steady supply of snails to keep its beak worn down.