Dogface Puffer

Also known as Dog-Faced Puffer, Black-Spotted Puffer, Arothron Puffer

The Dogface Puffer is one of the most popular and personable large puffer species, featuring a tan to golden-brown body with distinctive black spots and a face that resembles a friendly puppy dog. This intelligent, interactive species is renowned for its dog-like personality, ability to recognize owners, and endearing behavior. While requiring substantial space and specialized care, this puffer becomes a true pet fish and centerpiece of any large fish-only system.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Arothron nigropunctatus
• Common Names: Dogface Puffer, Dog-Faced Puffer, Blackspotted Puffer
• Adult Size: Up to 12-13 inches
• Lifespan: 10-15+ years with proper care
• Temperament: Peaceful for a large puffer; personable and interactive
• Reef Compatibility: Not reef safe; will consume invertebrates and may damage corals
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons preferred
• Experience Level: Intermediate; requires large system and proper diet

Habitat & Tank Requirements

Tank Environment: Requires large tank with substantial open swimming space and rockwork featuring caves for shelter. Strong water flow was appreciated. Secure all equipment and decorations. Provide territories and visual barriers 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
• Excellent water quality essential (messy eater)

Equipment Recommendations:

• High-capacity filtration system (heavy bioload)
• Large protein skimmer
• Strong water circulation
• Secure, heavy lid (can jump)
• Protected equipment (curious and strong)

These maintain water quality for this large, messy predator.

Diet & Feeding

Dogface Puffers are carnivores with powerful beaks requiring hard foods.

Recommended foods include:

• Primary: Frozen krill, squid, clams, mussels, scallops
• Hard-shelled foods: Snails, crabs, shrimp with shells, clams in shell (ESSENTIAL)
• Variety: Chopped fish, octopus, crab meat, whole shrimp
• Supplements: Vitamin-enriched foods regularly

Feeding Frequency: Once daily; large portions

Special Note: MUST have regular hard-shelled foods to wear down continuously growing beak. Without proper hard foods, the beak overgrows severely, preventing feeding and causing starvation. Offer snails, crabs, or shellfish several times weekly minimum.

Social Structure & Compatibility

• Tankmates: Best with other large, semi-aggressive fish; avoid small fish
• Generally Peaceful: Relatively peaceful for size; may eat very small fish
• Predatory: Will consume any fish small enough to swallow
• Reef Safety: Will eat all invertebrates and may damage corals

Notes & Considerations

• One of the most popular and personable puffer species.
• The face pattern resembles a friendly puppy dog; endearing appearance.
• Tan to a golden body with distinctive black spots.
• Pattern varies individually; some heavily spotted, others lightly marked.
• Extremely intelligent and interactive: Recognizes owner within days.
• Quickly learns feeding times and begs enthusiastically.
• Often greets owners at glass; truly becomes a “pet fish.”
• Can be trained to hand-feed (use caution; powerful bite).
• Very curious; investigates everything in the tank.
• May rearrange decorations and rockwork.
• Beak grows continuously; hard-shelled foods are absolutely essential.
• Can crush thick snail shells and crab shells with ease.
• Without proper diet, beak overgrows and curves, preventing feeding.
• Beak trimming by veterinarian required if overgrown (best avoided with proper diet).
• I will eat any fish small enough to fit in my mouth.
• Consumes all crustaceans: shrimp, crabs, hermit crabs, snails.
• Not suitable for reef aquariums under any circumstances.
• Produces substantial waste; excellent filtration is mandatory.
• Creates ammonia spikes if overfed; monitor water quality.
• Can release toxins (tetrodotoxin) when severely stressed: Dangerous to tankmates.
• Toxin release is rare but potentially lethal to other fish.
• Usually only occurs when fish are dying or extremely stressed.
• Use caution during tank maintenance; handle gently.
• Hardy once established; relatively disease-resistant.
• Susceptible to ich and marine velvet; can tolerate copper treatments.
• May become stressed if harassed by aggressive tankmates.
• Can inflate the body with water or air when threatened (puffing behavior).
• Inflation is stressful; avoid deliberately causing puffing.
• May jump when startled; secure lid essential.
• Long-lived; 10-15+ year commitment with proper care.
• Requires substantial space as it grows.
• Native to Indo-Pacific coral reef regions.
• Excellent centerpiece fish for large fish-only systems.
• Best suited for dedicated large-fish enthusiasts.

Why Choose a Quarantined Dogface Puffer?

Purchasing a quarantined specimen from us means you’re starting with a healthier, better-acclimated puffer. All fish are observed, treated as needed, and trained to accept varied foods including essential hard-shelled items for beak maintenance before sale. Proper quarantine ensures the beak is healthy and properly worn. This provides the strongest foundation for long-term success with this beloved and interactive species.