Help IDing a puffer

flpanthershockey · 03-16-2008, 07:03 PM

I recently acquired a pair of small puffer looking fish but I am having trouble iding them, I was wondering if you all could help. The person who gave them to me caught them in Ft. Lauderdale at West Lake Park from the canals there. I'm told they are puffers or boxfish but cannot find an exact picture of them. I'm wondering what I will be able to mix with them, how large of a tank to eventually put them in, what size they will be, and can I put corals with them aside from the exact type of fish they are? I know this is a lot but if any of you guys can help me out I would apperciate it. I hope the picture I have attached helps, It's from the top down to give an idea of the markings. The underbelly of both are white and they have black eyes. I can try to take some more pictures of them later.
Thanks in advance for the help

chrischris · 03-16-2008, 07:42 PM

looks like a figure 8 puffer brakish water

OneDummHikk · 03-16-2008, 10:42 PM

Is this what they look like from the side? http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_puffer2.php

partobe · 03-16-2008, 10:54 PM

to me it looks more like a dogface puffer or something in that family. A side view pic would be much more helpful.

TheWeaz · 03-17-2008, 03:02 AM

doesnt look like a dogface my vote is on onedumbhikk's suggestion.

Mindsgoneawol · 03-17-2008, 06:02 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetraodon_biocellatus .. if its a figure 8 then someone dumped them.. sad...

flpanthershockey · 03-17-2008, 04:58 PM

I called the park where they were caught and they said that they are "checkered puffers" a fish that is indigenous to Florida. So now that I know what species it is, are there any corals or anything I should not put with these fish?

protege · 03-17-2008, 05:03 PM

It will eat inverts, and may nip at any hard coral.

VWD · 03-17-2008, 05:07 PM

Here is a link, The picture is no good, But that is what they are called

http://www.backyardnature.net/yucatan/puffer.htm