Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have two green spotted puffer (brackish) and i know that the only difference between sex physically is internal but i was wondering if theres anyway to tell the sex through behavior also i have been told that when they do figure 8s together that they are mates i was wondering if there is any truth to that any information is greatly appriciated (breeding tips aswell) ccbrat17@yahoo.com

All the pages I read on green spotted puffers say that there is not really a way to tell. Many of the ways to tell are relative. Some say the females will be more dull than the males in color. That's not to say a male couldn't have dull color. Are you trying to breed your puffers? Breeding is difficult in captivity, but if you are interested I can look for all the best information for you. Granted nothing is guaranteed.
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Phishie
Site Coordinator

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

yes im trying to breed them and i know its not garenteed but its better attempting something else than than the trial an error method

After searching for you for a while, the best information I could find is from badmanstropicalfish.com, and it says, "Not a lot is known of their breeding and it probably can only be accomplished in Brackish water. During courtship the pair will swim around each other just above the bottom of the tank. Pale clear eggs are laid tightly packed on rock surfaces. The male will protect the brood and uses his body to cover the eggs. The eggs hatch in about a week and the male will transfer the tadpole like fry to shallow pits and continue to guard them. The fry can be hard to raise and feeding them can be difficult, you should try a variety of small food including Brine shrimp nauplii and observe which type they are eating. The mortality rate on the spawn is usually high."

I should add that the water quality should be at its best during the time you are breeding and when you have fry.

Hope this helps a little. There's not really a lot of information out there on breeding GSPs because it's difficult and sometimes non-existent.
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Phishie
Site Coordinator

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."