All fish / Tetraodontidae

Kretam puffer

Dichotomyctere kretamensis

Also known as tetraodon kretamensis, kretam pufferfish, bornean freshwater puffer, buntal

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This is a small, rarely seen puffer from the fresh waters of northern Borneo, with a greenish back speckled with dark markings and a pale belly. It is a close relative of the green spotted puffer, but it stays much smaller and lives in fully fresh water. Specialist puffer keepers seek it out because it is unusual and has the curious, expressive character typical of puffers.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Best kept alone or as a single specimen per tank

Diet

Carnivore: snails, bloodworm, brine shrimp, small crustaceans and other frozen or live meaty foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northern Borneo (Sabah, Malaysia)

Breeding

There are no reliable reports of captive breeding. Its relatives lay eggs on hard surfaces and the male guards them, so breeding may be possible but would be challenging.

Good to know

Care data is very limited, so treat the figures here as estimates based on its close relatives. Expect it to nip fins and eat snails and shrimp, and keep its beak worn down by offering hard-shelled foods. Do not confuse it with the brackish green spotted puffer.