Guinea Fowl Puffer (Arothron meleagris)

The Guinea Fowl Puffer (Arothron meleagris) is a robust, large, and highly intelligent puffer fish named for its striking coloration — a dark black to brown body densely covered in small white spots, closely resembling the plumage of a Guinea Fowl. A golden color form without spots also exists and is equally striking. Like all Arothron puffers, it is exceptionally interactive and will quickly learn to recognize its keeper, approaching the front of the tank for food and even accepting hand feeding. It is a determined predator of invertebrates and is completely unsuitable for reef systems; it must be maintained in a large, robust FOWLR system with carefully chosen fish companions that cannot be intimidated or bitten.

Provide at least 500 liters with open swimming space and sturdy, heavy decoration — puffers are powerful swimmers that rearrange lightweight decor. Feed 2–3 times daily with a varied diet including frozen shrimp, squid, cockles, clams, krill, and hard-shelled foods that wear down the constantly-growing beak teeth. Offer hard-shelled foods regularly to prevent overgrowth of the beak. Not suitable for reef or invertebrate systems — will eat all crustaceans, snails, and corals. House with large, robust fish only.