Canthigaster valentine
Due to variations within species, your item may not look
identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between
individual specimen
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Color Form: Black, Blue,
Orange, Tan, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Reef Compatible: With
Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78?
F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 4"
Origin: Hawaii,
Indonesia, Sumatra
Family: Tetraodontidae
Minimum Tank Size: 30
gallons
The Saddle Valentini Puffer, also known as the Black
Saddle Pufferfish, Blacksaddled Toby, Valentini Toby, or Saddled Toby. Members
of the Canthigaster genus are called Sharp-nosed Puffers or Tobies. The Saddle
Valentini Puffer is a bright and colorful fish with dark brown bands across the
midsection, brownish-orange spotting on the lower half, yellow fins, and blue
striping running along the back. It lacks pelvic fins, but has learned to use
the pectoral fins to move about the aquarium.
A 30 gallon or larger, fish-only aquarium is suitable. It
may eat invertebrates found in a reef tank. Its teeth are actually a fused
beak-like structure.
Parts of its flesh are poisonous. It has the ability,
when threatened or alarmed, to inflate its body to almost twice its normal
size. It becomes alarmed when netted, therefore, use a container to transfer
it.
The Saddle Valentini Puffer needs a varied diet of meaty
foods including; squid, krill, clams, and hard shelled shrimp to help wear down
their ever growing teeth.