Eye Spot Pufferfish - Dichotomyctere ocellatus (Tetraodon biocellatus)

Tetraodon biocellatus is listed under various trade names, the most common of which, "Palembang pufferfish", is rather confusing, as Tetraodon palembangensis, the true Palembang pufferfish, is also listed under this name in the trade. However, the two species differ significantly in body shape and appearance. A  other trade name for Tetraodon biocellatus is "Figure 8 Pufferfish" (derived from the English name "Figure 8 Puffer"), which is based on the markings that some individuals may exhibit; a bright yellow/green 8 in the area behind the head on the back of the fish. The natural range of Tetraodon biocellatus is Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand) where freshwater-bearing rivers are the natural habitats.
All animals have an olive to dark green ground color, which is overlaid with reflective, green-yellow glowing patterns, which are very variable. The ventral side of the animals is white and without patterning in juveniles. While young Tetraodon biocellatus are still very contrastingly marked, the coloration may change as the animals age  and the patterning may also appear on the ventral area.

While young puffers can sometimes still be kept in groups, with increasing age  they develop a very territorial and aggressive behavior both of their own species, as well as other co-inhabitants in the aquarium. A single attitude, maximally in pairs, would be here urgently advisable. A differentiation of the sexes is not quite easy, with adult animals the females remain somewhat more delicate. There is no information about a successful breeding so far.

Fully grown Tetraodon biocellatus can reach a size of about 6-8 cm, thus belongs to the rather small remaining puffers. Like most puffer fishes, the animals can build up a "relationship" with their keeper over time.

For the keeping are suitable tanks from 80 cm edge length, which should have a sufficiently dense planting, so that the fish can also withdraw. A socialization with other fish should be refrained from, because the Eye Spot Pufferfish is a pronounced loner.

The diet of the puffer fish should be as varied as possible with Live foodsuch as white mosquito larvae, Gammarus and depending on the size of the animals Food shrimps take place. Also Snails should be on the menu, because the pufferfish can "wear" their teeth on the shell. If you regularly mix in frozen food with the live feed, the animals can possibly even be conditioned to frozen food, even if some individuals can remain pronounced food specialists and, for example, only accept a certain type of food. Here also food snails offer themselves.

Since snails should always be available as food, it is recommended to breed them in a separate small tank with minimal technology to have some permanently available. Among others, post horn snails would be suitable as food snails, as they have a rather fast reproduction rate.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Cichfeed has a grain size of 1.5 mm and is therefore also suitable for larger fish. The NH Cichfeed is a soft granulate for predominantly carnivorous fish. It has the same consistency as small crustaceans and insect larvae that fish naturally eat, and the soft granules protect the fish's mouth from micro-injuries that can result from hard feed granules.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.