Blackspotted puffer

The blackspotted puffer (Arothron citrinellus, sometimes treated as a close relative of A. nigropunctatus) is a marine pufferfish of the family Tetraodontidae, native to the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean. It has a plump, scaleless body that can range from grey to yellow, dotted with dark spots, and the beak-like fused teeth typical of puffers. Like all puffers, it can inflate with water when threatened. It is an intelligent, curious fish that becomes semi-aggressive as it matures and will nip slow or long-finned tankmates. It is best kept singly with robust companions. A large aquarium with rockwork is needed, and it is not reef-safe, as it picks at corals and invertebrates. It requires hard-shelled foods such as snails, clams, and crustaceans to wear down its continuously growing teeth. Its skin and organs are toxic. Captive breeding is not established.