Description:

The Stars and Stripes Puffer (Arothron hispidus) is a large, intelligent, and popular pufferfish species for home aquariums.

General Information

Scientific Name: Arothron hispidus

Other Common Names: White-spotted Puffer, Broad-barred Puffer, Ringed Puffer

Appearance: They have a light grey to yellowish-brown body covered in small white spots. Their belly features white and dark concentric lines that radiate around the eyes and pectoral fins, giving them their “stars and stripes” name. They have a beak-like mouth with fused teeth.

Size: This species can grow quite large, reaching up to 18-20 inches (45-51 cm) in captivity, and up to 26 inches in the wild.

Behaviour: Known for their unique personality and intelligence, they can recognise and form a bond with their owners. They are not considered reef-safe and can be aggressive towards smaller tank mates. When threatened, they can inflate their bodies with water.

Aquarium Care
Tank Size: Due to their large adult size, a very large aquarium is required. The absolute minimum recommended tank size is 180-200 gallons, with 250 gallons or more being a much better option for a long-term home.

Water Parameters:

Temperature:22-26C

pH: 8.0-8.4

Salinity: 1.015-1.025

Filtration: They are messy eaters and produce a lot of waste, so robust filtration is essential. A protein skimmer and regular water changes are crucial for maintaining water quality.

Tank Mates: The Stars and Stripes Puffer is a solitary species in the wild and is best kept alone in a species-specific tank. If you choose to have tank mates, they must be large, fast, and sturdy fish that can handle the puffer’s territorial and nipping behaviour. They will eat corals and small invertebrates, so they are not suitable for a reef aquarium.

Diet
Primary Diet: They are carnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of meaty foods. Their continuously growing teeth require hard-shelled foods to be worn down.

Recommended Foods:

Chopped seafood like squid, clams, shrimp, and mussels.

Snail shells to help with teeth maintenance.

Other benthic invertebrates, sponges, and corals.

Carnivorous pellets and frozen foods can also be part of their diet.

Feeding Habits: They will happily munch on anything they can get their powerful teeth on. They should be fed 1-2 times a day, no more than they can eat in a few minutes.

Health and Considerations
Toxicity: Like all pufferfish, the Stars and Stripes Puffer has toxic skin and internal organs (containing tetrodotoxin), which can be lethal if consumed.

Puffing: While it is their natural defence mechanism, encouraging a puffer to puff up is extremely stressful for the fish and should be avoided.

Acclimation and Quarantine: It is recommended to perform an extended quarantine period for new fish to ensure they are healthy before being introduced to the main tank.