The interesting and clever Fahaka Puffers, also called Band Puffers and Nile Puffers, live in Africa's rivers. As the name suggests, they are popular for puffing up their bodies with water like a balloon in situations of danger.
Fahaka Puffers can grow up to 18 inches long as an adult and may require a 180+ gallon tank. They can be aggressive and can easily bite other species or even rip them apart, so it is more reasonable to keep them alone, although many people have had success keeping them with other fish. Keeping Fahaka Puffers with their own kind may also be troublesome. Even if you keep them in large tanks, they are still likely to end up fighting and killing each other.
Fahaka Puffers are Molluscivores. They enjoy shellfish, worms, snails and shellfish like crabs and mussels. We recommend you feed juveniles on a daily basis. As they grow older, you can reduce the frequency up to two to three times a week.
Summary
Common Name: Fahaka Puffer
Scientific Name: Tetraodon lineatus
Origin: Rivers of Africa. Particularly the River Nile.
Wild Caught / Captive Bred: Wild Caught
Diet: Carnivore (Molluscivore).You can feed them, shellfish, worms, snails, shrimps, and clams
Compatibility: Extremely Aggressive. Farhaka Puffers are better kept alone. They will bite off tankmates' fleshes and even rip them apart.
Adult Size: 16-18"
Recommended Tank Size: 180+ Gallons
Preferred Water Parameters
pH: 7.0 – 7.8
Temp: 76-80F