{"title":"Puffer","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"rjcrp3in","title":"Cross River Red Spot Puffer – Tetraodon pustulatus, 3IN","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCross River Red Spot Puffer (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTetraodon pustulatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a rare and highly sought-after African freshwater puffer known for its powerful body shape, distinctive red-to-orange spotting, and highly interactive personality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlso known as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCross River Puffer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNigerian Red Spot Puffer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this species is considerably less common in the aquarium trade than many other freshwater puffers and makes an impressive centerpiece fish for experienced aquarists.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis listing is for Cross River Red Spot Puffers approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3 in \/ 7.6 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in current size.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTetraodon pustulatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Cross River Puffer \/ Red Spot Puffer \/ Nigerian Red Spot Puffer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamily:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tetraodontidae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Nigeria \/ Cameroon – Cross River Basin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCurrent Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3 in \/ 7.6 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Up to approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e16 in \/ 40 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Aggressive \/ Predatory\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Advanced\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSwimming Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mid to Lower \/ All Levels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Carnivorous \/ Molluscivorous\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Recommendation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCross River Puffers grow into large, powerful freshwater predators and require a spacious aquarium with excellent filtration and substantial swimming space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvide a combination of:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOpen swimming areas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoft sand substrate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDriftwood\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRocks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlants or visual barriers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShaded hiding areas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA well-structured aquarium gives the fish areas to explore while also providing open space for swimming.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause puffers are messy, protein-heavy feeders, strong biological and mechanical filtration is especially important.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA secure aquarium lid is recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 75–80°F \/ 24–27°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 6.5–7.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlow:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Strong\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmmonia:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 0 ppm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNitrite:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 0 ppm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStable water conditions and excellent water quality are essential.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRegular partial water changes and removal of uneaten food are strongly recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCross River Puffers are predatory carnivores and should receive a varied protein-rich diet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended foods include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSnails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMussels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrayfish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther appropriately sized crustaceans\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrozen meaty foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHard-shelled foods are particularly important because pufferfish have continuously growing beak-like teeth that require regular natural wear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid relying exclusively on soft foods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCross River Puffers are territorial predators and may bite, injure, or consume other aquarium inhabitants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeeping this species alone is strongly recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIndividual temperament can vary, but tank mates should never be assumed to be safe simply because they are similar in size.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIndividual Appearance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCross River Red Spot Puffers may naturally vary in:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRed\/orange spot intensity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpot placement and distribution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBase coloration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody markings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody shape\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColor intensity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExact size\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColoration and pattern contrast can also appear different depending on lighting, mood, stress level, water conditions, and acclimation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePufferfish should \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enever be intentionally provoked into inflating\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Inflation is a defensive stress response and unnecessary handling should be avoided.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir continuously growing teeth make an appropriate hard-shelled diet an important part of long-term care.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCross River Puffers should only be introduced into a fully cycled and stable aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Product photos and videos are real photos of Cross River Red Spot Puffers and are representative of current RJ AQUA stock. This is not an individually numbered specimen listing. The actual fish shipped will be selected from available stock and may naturally vary in spot pattern, coloration, markings, body shape, and exact size from the fish shown.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RJ AQUA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67809163182400,"sku":"RJCRP3IN","price":399.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0941\/4357\/8432\/files\/IMG_0482.heic?v=1792454869"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0941\/4357\/8432\/collections\/IMG_0477.jpg?v=1792455276","url":"https:\/\/www.runjunaquarium.com\/collections\/puffer.oembed","provider":"RJ AQUA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}