Valentini Saddled Pufferfish – Tonga

Canthigaster valentini

The Valentini Saddled Pufferfish is also known as Valentin’s Sharpnose Pufferfish and is a peaceful marine fish that is moderately easy to care for, making it a popular choice in the aquarium trade. They thrive in established aquariums with ample rock work arranged to create caves and crevices for resting. Since they are not reef-safe, they should be housed in fish-only aquariums. Their diet should be varied, including frozen meaty foods such as brine shrimp, finely chopped fish, krill, clams, squid, and specially formulated carnivore foods. Occasionally, they should also be given prepared foods with vegetable matter. These Puffers should be fed several small meals daily instead of one large meal. Saddled Puffers are primarily off-white to tan, with two dark saddles and numerous dark spots on their bodies and a yellow tail. They can grow to about 4 inches and should be housed in aquariums of at least 50 gallons. They inhabit the Indo-West Pacific Ocean near coral heads and rocky lagoons at depths of up to 150 feet deep.