Carinotetraodon irrubesco – Red-tailed Redeye Puffer
Carinotetraodon irrubesco belongs to the family Tetraodontidae, or Pufferfish. Tan first officially described this species in 1999.
The genus name Carinotetraodon is derived from the Latin word “carina,” meaning “keel,” and the generic name “Tetraodon,” under which members of this genus were previously classified. This naming refers to the ridges along the backs and bellies of males, which they can display when threatening rivals. The species name irrubesco comes from the Latin word “irrubesco,” meaning “to redden” or “to blush,” referring to the red dorsal and caudal fins of adult males.
Their common name is Red-tailed Redeye Puffer.
Description
Carinotetraodon irrubesco is a small pufferfish that grows to about 4.4 to 5 cm in length. They have a compact, rounded body shape typical of pufferfish.
Carinotetraodon irrubesco is a small, colorful pufferfish with clear sexual dimorphism.
Male fish have a grayish body with a wide, pale stripe that runs from the eye to the base of the tail. They also feature a broad red stripe along the mid-ventral area and, in some cases, a red stripe along the dorsal side. The caudal and dorsal fins are red, while the pectoral and anal fins are usually transparent, occasionally with a red tint.
Females are slightly paler and have a broad, light lateral stripe that is often interrupted and features irregular brown markings. They typically exhibit two or three additional wavy pale stripes on their bodies, creating an irregular reticulated pattern. The belly is white, marked with several brown stripes and a dark spot located just before the anal fin. The fins are mostly transparent, except for the dorsal fin, which has pale stripes, and the caudal fin, which is yellowish with reticulated markings and a few dark stripes.
Behavior and Temperament
Carinotetraodon irrubesco is a relatively peaceful species within the genus Carinotetraodon. They can be kept either alone or in groups of at least five to help distribute aggressive behaviors evenly. Males tend to be territorial and may occasionally nip at fins or harass other fish. These fish are more active in a well-planted environment that provides plenty of hiding spots.
Habitat and Swimming Behavior
These fish live in murky, acidic waters among underwater vegetation. They are not specifically bottom dwellers, but usually swim in the midwaters of their habitat.
Lifespan
In the wild they can live for 5-8 years, and in the aquarium they can reach a similar lifespan if properly cared for.
Biotope
Carinotetraodon irrubesco is an endemic species in Indonesia, found in the lower Banjuasin River in South Sumatra and the Sambas River in West Kalimantan, Borneo. They live in turbid, acidic water (pH around 6.0) with abundant submerged riparian vegetation. Their habitat provides ample shelter and food sources.
They share their habitat with several other fish species such as Rasbora tornieri, Rasbora bankanensis, Doryichthys deokhatoides and Brachygobius doriae.
Diet
Carinotetraodon irrubesco primarily consumes small invertebrates in the wild, including snails, crustaceans, worms, and insects. In an aquarium setting, they should be provided with a diet of live and frozen foods. Occasionally feeding them small snails is beneficial, as it helps to wear down their teeth and prevents them from becoming overly long.
These fish rarely show interest in flake, pellet or freeze-dried foods and these foods are generally not recommended as a staple diet.
The Aquarium
Carinotetraodon irrubesco thrives best in a well-planted aquarium featuring a soft sand substrate and plenty of hiding spots. A single Carinotetraodon irrubesco can comfortably live in an aquarium measuring 40 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm. If you plan to keep a group of five fish, it is recommended to use an aquarium with dimensions of 90 cm x 35 cm x 50 cm.
The water parameters should be carefully monitored and the aquarium should be changed weekly. Keep the temperature between 22 and 28° Celsius. The pH may be between 6. 0 and 7.5.
Carinotetraodon irrubesco is one of the more peaceful members of the Carinotetraodon genus, but males can be territorial. They are best kept in a single-species setup or with fast, non-aggressive species such as some tetras. It is important to provide plenty of hiding places to minimize aggression.
The best substrate for Carinotetraodon irrubesco and their behavior
For burrowing pufferfish, also known as “wallowing”, it is important to choose a suitable substrate to prevent injuries and to support their natural behavior. The best substrate for these fish is fine sand. This is because fine sand is soft enough to prevent the fish from injuring themselves while burrowing. Some recommended types of fine sand are: UniPac Silver Sand, JBL Sansibar or filter sand.
The depth of the sand should be at least the depth of the fish’s body. It is recommended to start with a shallow layer and gradually increase it as the fish grows.
How does a pufferfish dig itself into the sand?
Pufferfish burrow themselves into the sand using a specific technique that helps them hide quickly and effectively. Here is a detailed description of how they do it:
- Nose-diving: The puffer fish begins its burrowing by diving into the sand with its nose. This helps to loosen the sand and create a small cavity.
- Use of the Tail: Next, the puffer fish uses its powerful tail to push its entire body further into the sand. By thrashing its tail, the fish can bury itself deeper and move the sand over its body.
- Camouflage: Depending on the situation, the pufferfish can partially or almost completely bury itself. Often, they only leave their eyes and mouth above the sand. This helps them camouflage themselves and remain unnoticed by prey or predators.
- Efficiency in Hunting: By burrowing, pufferfish can wait until prey comes close enough. Once prey is within range, they can quickly emerge from the sand and launch a surprise attack. This is a very efficient hunting technique because it requires little energy.
Reasons for a soft substrate
A fine substrate should be used when a pufferfish burrows for several important reasons:
- Preventing Injuries: Pufferfish burrow by diving into the substrate with their noses and using their powerful tails to push their bodies further into the sand. If the substrate is too hard or abrasive, it can cause scratches and scrapes to their skin. These injuries can be painful for the fish and can make them susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections.
- Supporting Natural Behavior: Pufferfish exhibit the behavior of “wallowing” for a variety of reasons, such as hunting, hiding from predators, or simply resting. A fine sand substrate allows them to perform this natural behavior safely and effectively without risk of injury.
- Easier Maintenance: Fine sand is easier to clean than coarser substrate because it holds less organic waste. Waste stays on top of the sand instead of falling into the spaces between the grains, which contributes to better water quality.
- Preventing Compaction: Although pufferfish regularly disturb the substrate by burrowing, the owner should also stir the substrate regularly to prevent the sand from becoming compacted.
Breeding Carinotetraodon irrubesco – Red-tailed Redeye Puffer
Breeding the Red-tailed Redeye Puffer is particularly difficult. If you can hatch fertilized eggs, you are a small step further. Raising the young fish is an even bigger challenge.
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
Michael Negrini – Pisciculture d’Estalens (original website no longer online)
Enrico Richter – AmazonPredators
