Male (left) and Female (right)
Photos © Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Red-tailed Red eye Puffer |
| Scientific name: | Carinotetraodon irrubesco |
| Synonyms: | (none) |
| Origin: | Southeast Asia: Borneo and Sumatra. |
| Size: | Up to approx 5cm (2in). |
| Recommended tank size: | 60 x 30cm (24 x 12in). |
| Tank setup: | A pair can be kept in a species tank as long as some cover is provided as a retreat. They can also be mixed with selected companions,
as long as more delicate, slow-swimming fish are avoided. Provide plants, bogwood and/or rocks for cover. |
| Compatibility: | Demonstrates territorial behaviour, but is not particularly aggressive. It may still nip fins however - so avoid mixing with
slow-swimming species with long finnage. |
| Temperature: | 24-28oC (75-82oF) |
| Water chemistry: | A freshwater species. pH around neutral, soft to fairly hard. |
| Feeding: | Live and frozen meaty foods: bloodworm and brine shrimp, cockles, mussel and prawn, snails. |
| Sexing: | Unlike many species of puffers, this species is easy to sex, see photos. |
| Breeding: | The male swims around the female with dorsal and ventral ridges erect. Spawning takes place near the substrate, and some brood care by the male
occurs. Eggs should hatch in about 3 days. |
| Comments: |
A similar species, C. lorteti, lacks the red tail of the male - it also grows slightly larger
and is generally considered to be more aggressive.
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