Pro

Share

Central American Sharpnose Puffer (Canthigaster punctatissima)

Coastal Waters

Puffer

Save

Difficulty Level

Intermediate Care

A petite, sharp-snouted puffer native to the tropical Eastern Pacific. Known for its bright blue spots and peaceful temperament, this species adds color and curiosity to nano and mid-sized marine tanks.

Pro

Share

Central American Sharpnose Puffer (Canthigaster punctatissima)

Coastal Waters

Puffer

Save

Pro

Share

Central American Sharpnose Puffer (Canthigaster punctatissima)

Coastal Waters

Puffer

Save

Difficulty Level

Intermediate Care

A petite, sharp-snouted puffer native to the tropical Eastern Pacific. Known for its bright blue spots and peaceful temperament, this species adds color and curiosity to nano and mid-sized marine tanks.

Pro

Pro gives you more—expert care, rich insights, AI care tools –

Get Pro

Central American Sharpnose Puffer (Canthigaster punctatissima)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Hardy and adaptable, but needs stable water quality, a peaceful environment, and a protein-rich diet.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Mostly wild-caught but not overharvested. Sustainably sourced from Eastern Pacific fisheries with minimal habitat disruption.

Origin
Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands. Inhabits rocky reefs and tidepools up to 20 meters deep.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Its elongated body and pointed snout are decorated with iridescent blue spots over a warm brown base. The small size (under 4 inches) and quick, darting movement make it visually dynamic in smaller tanks.

Purpose
Serves as a peaceful oddball fish that adds motion and variety to marine displays. Helps control small invertebrate populations in fish-only systems.

Importance
One of the few puffers suitable for nano to mid-sized tanks. Offers the personality of larger puffers without the space demands or aggression.

Included Resources
Requires stable salinity, mature live rock for grazing, and plenty of hiding areas. Protein skimmer recommended for consistent water quality. No special substrate needs.

Best Use Cases
Best in nano reef or FOWLR (fish-only-with-live-rock) tanks. Can be kept solo or with peaceful tankmates. Not reef-safe — may nip at corals and small inverts.

Conservation Context
Not evaluated by the IUCN but not under immediate threat. Their small size and niche range make them an important species in Eastern Pacific reef monitoring efforts.

Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Firefish
• Blennies
• Gobies
• Cardinalfish
• Dwarf angels (with caution)

Region (A)
• Latitude: 23.6345° N
• Longitude: -102.5528° W
(Central Pacific Coast of Mexico)

Region (B)
• Latitude: -0.9538° S
• Longitude: -90.9656° W
(Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Pro

Pro gives you more—expert care, rich insights, AI care tools –

Get Pro

Central American Sharpnose Puffer (Canthigaster punctatissima)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Hardy and adaptable, but needs stable water quality, a peaceful environment, and a protein-rich diet.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Mostly wild-caught but not overharvested. Sustainably sourced from Eastern Pacific fisheries with minimal habitat disruption.

Origin
Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands. Inhabits rocky reefs and tidepools up to 20 meters deep.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Its elongated body and pointed snout are decorated with iridescent blue spots over a warm brown base. The small size (under 4 inches) and quick, darting movement make it visually dynamic in smaller tanks.

Purpose
Serves as a peaceful oddball fish that adds motion and variety to marine displays. Helps control small invertebrate populations in fish-only systems.

Importance
One of the few puffers suitable for nano to mid-sized tanks. Offers the personality of larger puffers without the space demands or aggression.

Included Resources
Requires stable salinity, mature live rock for grazing, and plenty of hiding areas. Protein skimmer recommended for consistent water quality. No special substrate needs.

Best Use Cases
Best in nano reef or FOWLR (fish-only-with-live-rock) tanks. Can be kept solo or with peaceful tankmates. Not reef-safe — may nip at corals and small inverts.

Conservation Context
Not evaluated by the IUCN but not under immediate threat. Their small size and niche range make them an important species in Eastern Pacific reef monitoring efforts.

Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Firefish
• Blennies
• Gobies
• Cardinalfish
• Dwarf angels (with caution)

Region (A)
• Latitude: 23.6345° N
• Longitude: -102.5528° W
(Central Pacific Coast of Mexico)

Region (B)
• Latitude: -0.9538° S
• Longitude: -90.9656° W
(Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Pro

Pro gives you more—expert care, rich insights, AI care tools –

Get Pro

Central American Sharpnose Puffer (Canthigaster punctatissima)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Hardy and adaptable, but needs stable water quality, a peaceful environment, and a protein-rich diet.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Mostly wild-caught but not overharvested. Sustainably sourced from Eastern Pacific fisheries with minimal habitat disruption.

Origin
Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands. Inhabits rocky reefs and tidepools up to 20 meters deep.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Its elongated body and pointed snout are decorated with iridescent blue spots over a warm brown base. The small size (under 4 inches) and quick, darting movement make it visually dynamic in smaller tanks.

Purpose
Serves as a peaceful oddball fish that adds motion and variety to marine displays. Helps control small invertebrate populations in fish-only systems.

Importance
One of the few puffers suitable for nano to mid-sized tanks. Offers the personality of larger puffers without the space demands or aggression.

Included Resources
Requires stable salinity, mature live rock for grazing, and plenty of hiding areas. Protein skimmer recommended for consistent water quality. No special substrate needs.

Best Use Cases
Best in nano reef or FOWLR (fish-only-with-live-rock) tanks. Can be kept solo or with peaceful tankmates. Not reef-safe — may nip at corals and small inverts.

Conservation Context
Not evaluated by the IUCN but not under immediate threat. Their small size and niche range make them an important species in Eastern Pacific reef monitoring efforts.

Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Firefish
• Blennies
• Gobies
• Cardinalfish
• Dwarf angels (with caution)

Region (A)
• Latitude: 23.6345° N
• Longitude: -102.5528° W
(Central Pacific Coast of Mexico)

Region (B)
• Latitude: -0.9538° S
• Longitude: -90.9656° W
(Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Central American Sharpnose Puffer (Canthigaster punctatissima)

Region

Drag and orbit around the species’ natural range.

Drag to rotate and discover where this species originates in the world.

Drag to rotate and discover where this species originates in the world.

Search species...

⌘K

Search species...

Search species...

More...

A realistic digital rendering of a unique, elongated brown fish with a sleek body, prominent dorsal fin, and detailed textures, set against a plain cream background, showcasing aquatic life and marine animals.

Freshwater Pipefish (Doryichthys martensii)

A realistic digital rendering of a unique, elongated brown fish with a sleek body, prominent dorsal fin, and detailed textures, set against a plain cream background, showcasing aquatic life and marine animals.

Centerpiece

Freshwater Pipefish (Doryichthys martensii)
A realistic digital rendering of a unique, elongated brown fish with a sleek body, prominent dorsal fin, and detailed textures, set against a plain cream background, showcasing aquatic life and marine animals.

Centerpiece

Freshwater Pipefish (Doryichthys martensii)

Toothpick Fish (Indostomus paradoxus)

Micro-predator

Toothpick Fish (Indostomus paradoxus)

Micro-predator

Toothpick Fish (Indostomus paradoxus)
A close-up image of an alligator snapping turtle with a rugged shell and powerful jaws, captured against a plain white background.

Mata Mata Turtle (Chelus fimbriata)

A close-up image of an alligator snapping turtle with a rugged shell and powerful jaws, captured against a plain white background.

Predator

Mata Mata Turtle (Chelus fimbriata)
A close-up image of an alligator snapping turtle with a rugged shell and powerful jaws, captured against a plain white background.

Predator

Mata Mata Turtle (Chelus fimbriata)
A realistic, brown tortoise figurine with a textured shell and detailed facial features, set against a plain white background.

African Side-neck Turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa)

A realistic, brown tortoise figurine with a textured shell and detailed facial features, set against a plain white background.

Shelter Provider

African Side-neck Turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa)
A realistic, brown tortoise figurine with a textured shell and detailed facial features, set against a plain white background.

Shelter Provider

African Side-neck Turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa)
A brown turtle with a textured shell and scaly legs is standing on a white background, looking forward attentively.

West African Mud Turtle (Pelusios castaneus)

A brown turtle with a textured shell and scaly legs is standing on a white background, looking forward attentively.

Aquarium Companion

West African Mud Turtle (Pelusios castaneus)
A brown turtle with a textured shell and scaly legs is standing on a white background, looking forward attentively.

Aquarium Companion

West African Mud Turtle (Pelusios castaneus)
A softshell turtle with a long neck and distinctive patterned shell is positioned against a plain, neutral background, showcasing its textured skin and unique markings.

Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox, Apalone spinifera, Apalone mutica)

A softshell turtle with a long neck and distinctive patterned shell is positioned against a plain, neutral background, showcasing its textured skin and unique markings.

Predator

Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox, Apalone spinifera, Apalone mutica)
A softshell turtle with a long neck and distinctive patterned shell is positioned against a plain, neutral background, showcasing its textured skin and unique markings.

Predator

Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox, Apalone spinifera, Apalone mutica)

More details