Mappa Puffer

Also known as Map Puffer, Scribbled Puffer, Arothron Mappa

The Mappa Puffer is a spectacular large species featuring intricate maze-like patterns and scribbled markings across its body, resembling a detailed map. This intelligent, personable puffer is one of the most beautiful Arothron species but also one of the largest and most demanding. With proper care in very large systems, this magnificent puffer becomes an impressive centerpiece fish with remarkable personality and stunning appearance.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Arothron mappa
• Common Names: Map Puffer, Mappa Puffer, Scribbled Puffer
• Adult Size: Up to 24-26 inches (one of the largest puffer species)
• Lifespan: 15-20+ years with proper care
• Temperament: Peaceful when young; can become territorial as adult
• Reef Compatibility: Not reef safe; will consume all invertebrates and damage corals
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons preferred 
• Experience Level: Advanced to Expert; requires very large system and commitment

Habitat & Tank Requirements

Tank Environment: Requires a very large tank with extensive open swimming space and substantial rockwork for territories. Strong water flow is essential. Secure all equipment heavily. Provide visual barriers and multiple territories if keeping with other large fish.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C)
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Pristine water quality absolutely essential (very heavy bioload)

Equipment Recommendations:

• Industrial-strength filtration system
• Oversized protein skimmer
• Powerful water circulation (6,000+ GPH)
• Heavy, secure lid
• Protected, secured equipment

These maintain water quality for this extremely large, messy predator.

Diet & Feeding

Mappa Puffers are carnivores with powerful beaks requiring substantial hard foods.

Recommended foods include:

• Primary: Large frozen krill, whole squid, large clams, mussels, scallops
• Hard-shelled foods: Large snails, crabs, shrimp with thick shells, clams in shell (CRITICAL)
• Variety: Chopped fish, octopus, crab meat, large whole shrimp
• Live foods: Occasional live crabs or snails for enrichment
• Supplements: Vitamin-enriched foods

Feeding Frequency: Once daily; very large portions

Special Note: MUST have regular substantial hard-shelled foods. Beak grows rapidly and becomes extremely large; it requires crushing thick shells regularly. Without a proper diet, the beak overgrows severely. Adult specimens can crush extremely thick shells.

Social Structure & Compatibility

• Tankmates: Only with other very large, robust fish in massive systems
• Predatory: Will eat any fish it can swallow as it matures
• Territorial: Can become aggressive in undersized tanks
• Solitary: Best as single large predator in system

Notes & Considerations

• One of the largest and most spectacular puffer species.
• Absolutely stunning intricate pattern: maze-like scribbled markings.
• Pattern resembles a detailed map, giving species its name.
• Coloration varies: tan, yellow, brown with black/dark brown patterns.
• Juveniles have different patterns that transform as they mature.
• Grows VERY LARGE: Reaches 24-26 inches in captivity.
• Growth rate substantial with proper feeding.
• Requires progressively larger tanks as it matures.
• Most home aquariums are eventually too small for adult specimens.
• Better suited for public aquariums or massive private installations.
• Extremely intelligent and personable despite size.
• Recognizes the owner and becomes highly interactive.
• Will beg enthusiastically at glass during feeding times.
• Can be trained to hand-feed (use extreme caution; extremely powerful bite).
• Very curious; investigates all activity in and around the tank.
• May rearrange heavy decorations and rockwork.
• Beak grows continuously and becomes extremely large and powerful.
• Can crush very thick shells including large snails and crabs.
• Hard-shelled foods are absolutely mandatory several times weekly.
• Beak trimming by veterinarian required if diet is inadequate (difficult procedure).
• Will eat any fish small enough to swallow.
• Becomes increasingly predatory as it matures.
• Consumes all invertebrates: shrimp, crabs, snails, urchins.
• Absolutely not suitable for reef aquariums.
• Produces enormous amounts of waste: Filtration challenge.
• Requires commercial-grade life support systems for adults.
• Creates substantial ammonia; water quality monitoring critical.
• Can release potent toxins (tetrodotoxin) when stressed: Lethal to tankmates.
• Toxin release is rare but extremely dangerous due to fish size.
• Use extreme caution during maintenance or if fish are stressed.
• Can inflate the body dramatically when threatened.
• Inflation is stressful; never deliberately cause puffing.
• Hardy once established an appropriate system.
• Susceptible to ich and marine velvet; can tolerate copper treatments.
• May jump when startled; extremely heavy secure lid mandatory.
• Long-lived: 15-20+ year commitment; possibly longer.
• Expensive to acquire and maintain due to size.
• Substantial food budget required for large specimens.
• Native to Indo-Pacific coral reef regions.
• Commands premium prices due to beauty and size.
• Only appropriate for expert aquarists with massive systems.
• Not recommended for typical home aquariums.

Why Choose a Quarantined Mappa Puffer?

CRITICAL NOTE: This species is only suitable for very large systems (180+ gallons minimum, 300+ gallons preferred for adults). If you have appropriate facilities: Purchasing a quarantined specimen from us means starting with a healthier, properly acclimated puffer. All fish are observed, treated as needed, and trained to accept varied foods including essential hard-shelled items before sale. Given the size, longevity, and commitment required, proper quarantine is essential.