A small, highly intelligent, and interactive pufferfish known for the distinctive figure-eight pattern on its back. While often sold as freshwater fish, they strictly require a low-end brackish environment (Specific Gravity 1.005-1.008) for long-term health and a full lifespan. They are aggressive fin-nippers and strict carnivores that require hard-shelled foods (like snails) to keep their continuously growing teeth trimmed.
Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) At a Glance
Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) Tank Requirements
Will Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
Useful setup supplies
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Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) Water Parameters
Water care products
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Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) Temperament & Compatibility
Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard
The standard Figure 8 puffer. Best kept singly or in a heavily decorated, species-specific brackish setup to manage extreme territorial aggression.
Differs in 1 trait from base species
Also known as: F8, Wild Type
Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) Care Guide Summary
The Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish), scientifically known as Dichotomyctere ocellatus, belongs to the Puffers family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 8 cm and have a globular body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as aggressive, this species primarily occupies the mid-level and bottom zones of the aquarium and produces a high level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) requires a brackish required aquarium with a minimum volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 24°C and 28°C, with a pH range of 7.5–8.5 and a general hardness of 10–25 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Due to its specialist needs, the Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) is best suited for fishkeepers who can provide a carefully planned setup. The Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) is typically available in one standard form.
Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish), a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the mid-level and bottom zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement and sufficient floor space with hiding spots among rocks, wood, or dense planting. Useful additions include a sand substrate to accommodate their sifting behaviour and shells for breeding and shelter.
Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) Compatibility Notes
Classified as aggressive, the Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) is adaptable and can be kept singly or in a small group, offering flexibility when planning a community tank. When choosing tankmates, avoid housing with slow-moving or long-finned species that may become targets for fin nipping, ornamental shrimp are not safe companions, snails will be treated as food rather than tankmates, territorial behaviour may cause issues if hiding spots or floor space are limited, and their energetic swimming style may stress more sedentary or timid species. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the mid-level and bottom zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish).
20 Gallon High
20 Gallon Long
29 Gallon Standard
30 Gallon Breeder
36 Gallon Bowfront
40 Gallon Breeder
Show 19 more tank sizes
Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) Feeding & Diet Considerations
The Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) will hunt and eat ornamental shrimp, making it unsuitable for shrimp-focused setups and actively feeds on snails and can be used as a natural snail population control.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish)
How big does Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) get?
Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) (Dichotomyctere ocellatus) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 8 cm. They have a globular body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish). This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) need?
Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) thrives in brackish required conditions with a temperature range of 24–28°C, a pH between 7.5 and 8.5, and a general hardness of 10–25 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) peaceful or aggressive?
Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) is classified as aggressive with an aggression score of 8 out of 10. Careful tankmate selection is essential to avoid conflict.
Can Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) live alone?
Yes, Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) can be kept singly or in a group. They are flexible and adapt well to both setups.
Is Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) safe with shrimp?
No. Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) is known to eat ornamental shrimp and is not recommended for shrimp tanks. Even larger shrimp species like Amano Shrimp may be at risk.
Will Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) eat snails?
Yes. Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) actively feeds on snails. While this can be useful for controlling pest snail populations, it means decorative snails should not be housed with this species.
Does Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) benefits from sand (sifters) and shells (breeding/hiding) in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Plants That Suit Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish)
These plants pair well with Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish) based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
Dwarf Sagittaria
Sagittaria subulata
Italian Val
Vallisneria spiralis
Java Fern
Leptochilus pteropus
Jungle Val
Vallisneria americana
Lemon Bacopa
Bacopa caroliniana
Micro Sword
Lilaeopsis brasiliensis
Fish Similar to Figure 8 Puffer (Brackish)
Green Spotted Puffer (Brackish)
Dichotomyctere nigroviridis
The Green Spotted Puffer is a highly intelligent but notoriously aggressive fish. While frequently (and incorrectly) sold as a freshwater species, they strictly require brackish water that increases in salinity as they mature, eventually needing high-brackish or full marine conditions as adults. They have beak-like teeth that grow continuously and must be worn down by a diet of hard-shelled foods. Best kept entirely alone.
Ceylon Puffer (Brackish)
Dichotomyctere fluviatilis
The Ceylon Puffer (often sold as the Topaz Puffer) is a highly interactive but aggressive brackish water species. Like many puffers, they require hard, crunchy foods (like snails and crabs) to keep their continuously growing teeth ground down. Often falsely sold as freshwater fish, they strictly require brackish water, with adults thriving in high-end brackish or full marine conditions. They are notorious fin-nippers and are best kept in a species-only solitary setup.
Dwarf Pea Puffer
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
The Dwarf Pea Puffer is a tiny, fully freshwater pufferfish native to India. Despite their cute appearance, they are fierce micropredators and notorious fin-nippers. Modern husbandry standards strongly dictate they are highly social and must be kept in species-only shoals of 6 or more in heavily planted aquariums to disperse aggression and reduce stress. They require a steady diet of small snails and live/frozen foods.
Abei Puffer
Pao abei
A highly intelligent, interactive, and aggressive freshwater pufferfish native to the Mekong basin. They feature an earthy base color speckled with bright orange or pale spots. As true ambush predators and molluscivores, they require hard-shelled foods like snails and crustaceans to naturally file down their ever-growing teeth. Due to their extreme territoriality and formidable bite, they are widely considered a 'wet pet' and must be kept strictly alone.
Bumblebee Goby (Brackish)
Brachygobius xanthozonus
A miniature, bottom-dwelling goby famous for its striking black and yellow stripes. While they are often sold as freshwater fish and can survive in it temporarily, they are highly susceptible to fungal infections in fresh water and truly require a brackish setup (SG 1.002-1.005) to thrive long-term. They are notoriously picky eaters, often ignoring flakes in favor of live or frozen foods (like bloodworms or brine shrimp).
Mbu Puffer
Tetraodon mbu
The largest freshwater pufferfish in the world, originating from the Congo River. Known for their 'puppy-like' intelligence and personality, they recognize owners and interact with them. However, they grow to massive sizes and possess a beak capable of crushing hard-shelled invertebrates. Unlike many puffers, they are true freshwater fish and do not need salt. They require massive filtration and a diet of hard foods (clams, snails) to keep their teeth trimmed.