๐ฅ Figure of Eight Pufferfish (Dichotomyctere ocellatus)
Add intelligence, personality, and striking markings to your aquarium with the captivating Figure of Eight Pufferfish. Named after the distinctive "figure of eight" pattern found on its back, this charismatic species features a beautiful combination of golden-yellow, green, and black markings that make it one of the most attractive puffers in the hobby.
Highly inquisitive and full of character, Figure of Eight Puffers are well known for recognising their owners and interacting with their surroundings. Their curious behaviour and expressive eyes make them a fascinating species to observe every day.
๐ฟ Why Choose Figure of Eight Pufferfish?
๐ฑ Distinctive "figure of eight" pattern across the back
๐ Beautiful golden-yellow and green colouration with bold markings
๐ง Highly intelligent and interactive personality
๐ Excellent at controlling pest snail populations
โญ A unique and rewarding fish for specialist aquarists
Figure of Eight Puffers actively explore every part of the aquarium, often investigating decorations, plants, and even watching activity outside the tank with remarkable curiosity.
๐ Care Requirements
๐งฌ Scientific Name: Dichotomyctere ocellatus
๐ Common Name: Figure of Eight Pufferfish
๐ Tank Size: 80L+ recommended for a single fish
๐ Adult Size: Up to 8cm
๐ก๏ธ Temperature: 24โ28ยฐC
โ๏ธ pH Range: 7.5โ8.5
๐ง Water Type: Low-end brackish water (Specific Gravity approximately 1.003โ1.008)
๐ง Temperament: Semi-aggressive
๐ฝ๏ธ Diet: Snails, mussel, cockle, shrimp, bloodworms, krill, and other meaty frozen or live foods
๐ฅ Group Size: Best kept singly or in carefully planned specialist setups
Figure of Eight Puffers require well-filtered aquariums with excellent water quality, plenty of hiding places, driftwood, rocks, and open swimming areas. Brackish water is recommended for long-term health and longevity.
๐ Compatibility
Best suited to specialist brackish aquariums. They may be kept with carefully selected fast-moving brackish species such as mollies, bumblebee gobies, and knight gobies in suitably sized aquariums, but compatibility varies depending on individual temperament. Avoid slow-moving fish, long-finned species, freshwater shrimp, and most freshwater community fish, as puffers are prone to fin-nipping and may become aggressive.
Important Notes
Figure of Eight Puffers have continuously growing teeth, so they require hard-shelled foods such as snails and shellfish to naturally wear their beaks down. Unlike many community fish, they should not be fed flakes or exclusively soft foods. They are sensitive to poor water quality and should only be kept in mature, well-established aquariums with stable water parameters.
The Figure of Eight Pufferfish is a fantastic choice for UK aquarists looking for a highly intelligent, interactive, and uniquely patterned fish that offers endless personality and fascinating behaviour in a dedicated brackish aquarium.
