Fahaka Pufferfish

Tetraodon lineatus

Fahaka Pufferfish is a all-zone swimmer. Best kept as a solitary specimen.

AggressiveAll-zone swimmerBest kept as a solitary specimenAdvanced

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Explore compatibility, care or problems using this guide and your aquarium’s conditions.

Quick facts

Adult size: ≤ 16.9" (≤ 43 cm)
Aquarium size: 254 US gal (960 L) or larger / ≥ 78.7" (≥ 200 cm) minimum length
Care level: Advanced
Temperament: Aggressive
Swimming zone: All-zone swimmer
Temperature: 75–79°F (24–26°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
GH: 5–15 dGH
Diet: Carnivore
Lifespan: up to 20 years
Group behavior: Best kept as a solitary specimen

Care requirements

Care level: Advanced.

Lifespan: up to 20 years.

Aquarium size and space needs

Minimum aquarium size: 254 US gal (960 L) or larger / ≥ 78.7" (≥ 200 cm) minimum length. Plan the layout and stocking within that limit.

Water parameters

Suitable water: temperature 24–26 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, GH 5–15 dGH.

Temperament and compatibility

Fahaka Pufferfish is aggressive and needs carefully selected companions.

Shrimp safe: No
Snail safe: No
Community safe: No

Swimming zone and behavior

This fish uses multiple areas of the aquarium, so leave enough open swimming space for movement and feeding.

Feeding

Use foods that suit a meatier diet and avoid combining it with fish small enough to be treated as food.

Provide snails and unshelled shellfish regularly to wear down the continually growing teeth. Keep this fish alone; do not add salt as a routine requirement.

Before adding this fish

Plan for an aquarium of 254 US gal (960 L) or larger / ≥ 78.7" (≥ 200 cm) minimum length.
Choose other fish carefully around this temperament.
Best kept as a solitary specimen.
Offer a varied diet suited to this species’ documented feeding habits.

Important notes

Large solitary freshwater puffer: severe biting and injury risk to fish or keepers during aquarium maintenance.
Requires large dedicated aquarium and hard-shelled food for dental wear; the quoted 450L example is not an independently established minimum or multi-fish capacity.

Similar fish profiles

Use these profiles to compare fish with similar care level, size, temperature range, or swimming behavior.

Avacado Pufferfish Auriglobus modestus Same family Similar care level Same temperament Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 3.9" (≤ 10 cm) 73–82°F (23–28°C) Black-winged Hatchetfish Carnegiella marthae Similar care level Same swimming zone Similar diet Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 1.1" (≤ 2.9 cm) 68–82°F (20–28°C) Aurora Cichlid Maylandia aurora Similar care level Same temperament Same swimming zone Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 3.4" (≤ 8.7 cm) 75–79°F (24–26°C) Black Sharkminnow Labeo chrysophekadion Similar care level Same temperament Bottom dweller Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 35.4" (≤ 90 cm) 68–79°F (20–26°C) African Freshwater Pipefish Enneacampus ansorgii Similar care level Bottom dweller Similar diet Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 5.9" (≤ 15 cm) 75–81°F (24–27°C) Amazon Leaffish Monocirrhus polyacanthus Similar care level Bottom dweller Similar diet Intermediate – Advanced ≤ 3.9" (≤ 10 cm) 73–84°F (23–29°C)

FAQ

How large does Fahaka Pufferfish get?

Fahaka Pufferfish reaches ≤ 16.9" (≤ 43 cm). It needs specialist housing, long-term space, strong filtration, and carefully chosen companions.

What aquarium size does Fahaka Pufferfish need?

Use an aquarium of at least 254 US gal (960 L) or larger / ≥ 78.7" (≥ 200 cm) minimum length.

Is Fahaka Pufferfish peaceful?

Fahaka Pufferfish should be planned cautiously with compatible fish only, because aggressive behavior can limit companion options.

What temperature is suitable for Fahaka Pufferfish?

Keep it between 24 to 26 °C.

Should Fahaka Pufferfish be kept alone or in a group?

Fahaka Pufferfish: Best kept as a solitary specimen.