Gold Puffer

About this fish

Gold Puffer is a marine pufferfish commonly identified by the scientific name Arothron meleagris. In an aquarium, this fish is best kept as a hardy centerpiece (often with tankmates it can’t injure) and fed a meaty diet suited to puffer mouth habits. Because puffers are curious and can nip, this species is typically managed with careful aquascape choices and an appropriately sized, well-established saltwater system.

Features:

• Generally suited to saltwater aquariums with stable conditions and good filtration
• Known for strong, beak-like feeding behavior—offers a meaty, puffer-appropriate diet
• Can be territorial and may nip at slow or delicate tankmates, so choose compatible companions carefully
• Does best with secure aquascaping (to reduce stress from rearranging and rooting)
• No special lighting requirements beyond standard aquarium lighting
• Benefits from regular, measured feedings to help maintain body condition and reduce waste load

Specifications:

• Scientific name: Arothron meleagris
• Care level (general guidance): Moderate (requires stable marine water and careful tankmate selection)
• Temperament (general guidance): Curious and potentially territorial; may nip
• Water type: Marine (saltwater)
• Lighting: Standard aquarium lighting; no special requirements
• Diet (general guidance): Meaty foods appropriate for marine puffers (e.g., prepared meaty diets and/or suitable frozen foods)
• Temperature: Tropical marine range (about 72–78°F / 22–26°C)
• pH: Typically maintained around ~8.1–8.4 for marine aquariums
• Salinity: Reef-range marine salinity (about 1.020–1.025 specific gravity)