Canthigaster rostrata

(Bloch, 1786)

Caribbean Sharpnose Puffer

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: South Carolina and Bermuda to Tobago and Lesser Antilles.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoon seagrass beds, amongst pier pilings, in tide pools, amongst sea fans, and over sandy patches

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, with a pale brownish-white body with dark horizontal line on the upper body and several blue lines radiating from the eyes. Lacks pelvic fins, but uses the pectoral fins for movement.

Best maintained in fish-only aquariums with live rock caves and crevices for browsing, and also wide-open swimming areas with peaceful, swift moving tankmates, such as damselfish.

Should not be housed with aggressive tankmates such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfishes or angelfishes, as this is a somewhat slow moving species.

Requires a varied diet, i.e., finely chopped fish or shrimp flesh, krill, clams, squid, earthworms and/or carnivore frozen foods, along with some vegetable matter. Should have numerous/at least three daily feedings.

Taxonomy:

Order: Tetraodontiformes

Suborder: Tetraodontoidei

Family: Tetraodontidae

Subfamily: Canthigastrinae

Genus: Canthigaster

FYI: Will eat small ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, and tubeworms.

Will nip stony corals.

One per aquarium unless a mated pair.

May need to be dewormed and have its teeth filed to prevent overgrowth.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: No

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: No

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful, and swifter

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 79°F (22 - 26°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5