Short-fin Puffer

Torquigener brevipinnis is distributed across coastal Indo-Pacific habitats from the Red Sea through Southeast Asia and Australia, inhabiting shallow estuaries, tidal creeks, and seagrass beds. It is rarely traded in the aquarium hobby but occasionally appears as a bycatch import in brackish puffer shipments. Its modest size and adaptability to varying salinities make it an interesting brackish-to-marine species for the adventurous keeper.

Water: 22–28°C, pH 7.0–8.5, SG 1.005–1.020; brackish to marine conditions preferred. Tank: Minimum 120 L; seagrass or robust brackish planting, sandy substrate. Feeding: Small snails, mussels, bloodworm, brine shrimp, and frozen marine invertebrates. Behaviour: Moderately territorial; less aggressive than larger puffers but will nip fins. Compatibility: Species-only in brackish setups; avoid with delicate or slow-moving fish.