Sharpnose Puffer
The sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster rostrata) is a small fish from the Atlantic Ocean. It reaches a maximum size of only 4-5 inches (10.1-12.7 cm). It belongs to the family Tetraodontidae.
Some puffer species grow quite large, however, the smaller puffers are commonly called tobies. Canthigaster rostrata is commonly referred to as the Atlantic toby.
Puffer fish are so named because of their ability to inflate their bodies as a defense against predators. Puffers inflate their bodies by filling it with air or water. This causes them to appear larger and it also makes them harder for predators to swallow.
Puffers also have poisonous flesh.
Canthigaster spp.
In their natural habitat small puffers are found in shallow waters along coral reefs where they search for food. For this reason puffers shouldn't be kept in reef tanks. Puffers commonly damage delicate corals while searching for food. They will also eat the inhabitants of reef tanks (e.g., decorative crustaceans).
You should feed your sharpnose puffer a diet of chopped seafood, crustaceans, mysis shrimp, and frozen food for marine fish. Puffers often feed on algae in the tank.
Almost all Canthigaster spp. are small puffers with similar care requirements.
Puffers are semi-aggressive and are sometimes known to nip the fins of other fish. Also, some puffers don't get along with members of their own species. You can often keep male-female pairs, but don't keep two males. If you do keep a male-female pair make sure there are plenty of hiding places in the aquarium.
One commonly kept small sharpnose puffer species is the Valentine's sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster valentini) also known as a saddled toby. It is so named because it looks like it has a brown saddle on its back.
The valentine sharpnose puffer reaches a similar maximum size to the other sharpnose puffers of Canthigaster spp. and and has similar care and behavioral requirements.
The saddled toby has been known to spawn in captivity. You can tell males from females because males are more colorful.