Salinator Puffer

Carinotetraodon salivator is unusual among dwarf puffers in its preference for brackish water, inhabiting the tidal creeks and mangrove-fringed channels of coastal Malaysia and Singapore. The specific epithet refers to its copious mucus production. Its requirement for slightly saline conditions sets it apart from its freshwater congeners and demands a dedicated brackish biotope aquarium.

Water: 24–28°C, pH 7.0–8.0, specific gravity 1.002–1.008; brackish conditions are essential for long-term health. Tank: Minimum 50 L; mangrove root decor, hardy brackish plants (e.g. Java fern), and sandy substrate. Feeding: Snails, mussels, bloodworm, and brackish invertebrates. Behaviour: Highly territorial and aggressive; must be kept as the sole puffer species. Compatibility: Strict species-only; even robust brackish fish are at risk of fin-nipping.