Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Reef Compatible: No

General Description: The Guineafowl Puffer, also referred to as the Golden or Spotted Puffer, is found throughout the Indo-Pacific. The Guineafowl puffer comes in two main color forms, dark or golden, depending on where it is in its life cycle. The dark form is first, where its body is a dark brown or black color with many white spots that can at times even appear bluish. The Guineafowl puffer will transition from this dark form into its golden form, where its body is an entirely vibrant gold-yellow color. There is also an intermediate phenotype between the dark and golden phases, but this is usually rare to encounter. Please note that It is unlikely for a Guineafowl puffer purchased in its dark phase to ever transition to its golden phase in the home aquarium. Like other Arothron puffers, the Guineafowl puffer will inflate to over two times its original size if under stress, or felt threatened by a tank mate, into a sphere shape. Do not purposely entice this behavior, as it can have adverse health effects and in some circumstances, cause death to your puffer. After drip acclimation in a bucket, it is imperative to transfer your puffer in a tupperware container with water to the main aquarium. If transferred with a net, the puffer will likely inflate out of the water in fear, allowing it to suck in air which is much more difficult for it to expel. Guineafowl puffers make a great addition for the dedicated aquarist with a large fish only with live rock aquarium. An adult Guineafowl puffer can reach an approximate size of 18″.

Diet Requirements: In the wild Guineafowl puffers are carnivorous. A diet consisting of various meaty frozen foods is necessary and options will depend on the size of the individual. Some examples include brine shrimp, squid, mysis shrimp, and krill to maintain optimal health and color. Hard-shelled shrimp and clams with shells are also highly encouraged to feed from time to time in order to keep their fused teeth (i.e., beak) worn down. An overgrown beak will cause complications and have consequences.

Care Requirements: A minimum 200 gallon aquarium is required for medium to large sized Guineafowl puffers. This species doesn’t tend to be collected and therefore offered at smaller sizes. Extra large Guineafowl puffers will need an aquarium of 300 gallons or more. Additionally, aquariums that house large species of pufferfish should be equipped with a protein skimmer and above average filtration because of their bioload capacity. Guineafowl puffers may appreciate some large rock arches to take refuge at night, but need more open swimming and turning space. Given their nature, Guineafowl puffers can be kept in an active peaceful to semi-aggressive aquarium or a more aggressive aquarium. It is best to take into consideration the size of the puffer at the time and choose tank mates accordingly. Puffers should not be kept with small fish or slower fish with decorative fins that they could nip at. Guineafowl puffers do not make good reef aquarium inhabitants because of how messy they can be, but they will also nip at corals and eat invertebrates including crabs, urchins, starfish and shrimp. Keeping more than one Guineafowl pufferfish in an aquarium is typically discouraged as they will quarrel. They are known to be kept with other pufferfish species successfully, but we suggest attempting this at smaller sizes only. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: Small: 2″ to 2-3/4″, Medium: 3″ to 4-1/4″, Large: 4-1/2″ to 5-1/2″, XLarge; 5-3/4″ to 7″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.