Sapo Puffer

About this fish

Sapo Puffer is a trade name used for a color morph of the marine pufferfish Arothron meleagris. In a saltwater aquarium, it’s typically kept in a fish-only system (FOWLR) where its powerful beak-like mouth can be fed a meaty, shelled diet while protecting tankmates such as shrimp, crabs, and other invertebrates.

Features:

• Marine pufferfish (family Tetraodontidae) with a beak-like mouth that needs appropriate foods to help manage tooth growth.
• Best suited to a very large, well-filtered FOWLR setup since puffers are messy feeders and can be semi-aggressive.
• Not reef-safe/invertebrate-safe: plan on housing it away from corals, shrimp, crabs, and other small shelled animals.
• Provide plenty of rock structure so it can wedge into caves/overhangs and feel secure.
• Feed a varied carnivore diet that includes hard-shelled items (e.g., clam or mussel) to help wear the teeth.
• Handle with care: pufferfish carry tetrodotoxin in their skin and organs and should never be eaten.

Specifications:

• Scientific name: Arothron meleagris (confirmed for “Sapo Puffer” in aquarium trade references)
• Care level: Intermediate (generally requiring experience with large marine puffers)
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Reef/invertebrate safety: Not reef-safe (will eat corals and invertebrates)
• Adult size: Up to about 48 cm (18.9 in)
• Diet: Carnivorous; typically fed shelled invertebrates (e.g., mussels/clams) and other meaty foods
• Temperature: About 24–28°C (75–82°F)
• pH: About 8.1–8.4
• Salinity: About 1.020–1.025 specific gravity
• Recommended aquarium size (general guidance): Very large systems; one commonly cited minimum is about 1500 L