12 Popular Types of Puffer Fish

Types of puffer fish include over 190 species found worldwide, ranging from small freshwater puffers to large saltwater species kept by advanced fish hobbyists. 

Puffer fish are one of the most recognizable fish due to their ability to inflate up to three times their body size, earning them the nickname “blowfish.” This unique defense mechanism is just one of many interesting puffer fish facts that make these fish so popular among aquarium enthusiasts.

Freshwater Puffer Fish

Freshwater types of puffer fish include smaller species commonly kept in aquariums.

1. Dwarf Puffer Fish

Dwarf puffer fish are the smallest type of puffer fish, growing under 1 inch long.

Also known as the pea puffer and pygmy puffer, the dwarf puffer fish is one of the most popular puffer fish pets.

These fish are best to keep in a group of at least six in a single-species tank, because they live in groups in the wild. With proper care, dwarf puffers can live six years or more as pets.

But take note: When housing dwarf puffers, it’s essential to have a secure lid on the tank, because they are known to jump out of water.

2. Amazon Puffer Fish

Amazon puffer fish are small, social freshwater puffers that grow to about 3 inches long.

Also called South American puffer fish (or SAP for short), Amazon puffer fish can live for eight to 10 years as a pet.

Not much is known about the reproduction of this species, so all Amazon puffer fish are wild-caught.

Like dwarf puffer fish, Amazon puffer fish should ideally be kept in a group of at least six, since they live in groups in the wild.

3. Mbu Puffer Fish

Mbu puffer fish are the largest freshwater puffer fish, reaching up to 30 inches long.

Also known as the giant puffer fish, mbu puffers can live over 20 years with proper care.

This species is known to “practice” inflating to strengthen their muscles, so you may notice your puffer inflating without any environmental stressors.

When stressed out or sick, mbu puffers can lose color and develop a mask around their face. If this happens you should investigate any changes to water quality and the environment, then follow up with an aquatic veterinarian.

4. Spotted Congo Puffer Fish

Spotted Congo puffers are aggressive freshwater puffers that grow to about 4 inches. They can live to be over 10 years old as pets. 

This type of puffer fish is known for unprovoked aggression, so it’s best to keep them individually or in a single-species tank.

Like the mbu puffer fish, spotted Congo puffers can change color when stressed, creating black bars across their back.

Spotted Congo puffer fish can also retract their eyes when injured, and you may even notice them using these muscles to practice this ability.

5. Dragon Puffer Fish

Dragon puffers are ambush predators that can grow up to 8 inches long.

Also known as humpback puffer fish, they should be housed alone or in a single-species tank. They may attempt to eat smaller tankmates.

Dragon puffers are crepuscular, meaning they will be most active at dawn and dusk. They are known to jump out of a tank, so make sure it has a secure lid.

6. Yellow Puffer Fish

Yellow puffers are small, aggressive freshwater puffers that grow to about 4 inches.

Also known as golden puffer fish, this species of puffer fish will become less active as they age and can live to be about 5–7 years old.

Yellow puffers are known to be aggressive, so they should only be kept in single-species tanks.

 

Saltwater Puffer Fish

Saltwater types of puffer fish include larger species often kept in marine aquariums.

7. Valentini Puffer Fish

Valentini puffers are small saltwater puffer fish that grow to about 4 inches long and live five to 10 years.

For the safety of both the corals and the puffer fish, it is best to house Valentini puffer fish in non-reef aquariums with non-aggressive fish. It’s best only to have one Valentini puffer fish in your tank.

8. Figure 8 Puffer Fish

Figure 8 puffers are small puffer fish known for their unique pattern and long lifespan.

Also known as the eyespot puffer fish, figure 8 puffers can grow up to 3 inches long. They are known to live as pets for about 15 years in proper conditions.

Like many other puffers, figure 8 puffers can be aggressive, so they should be avoided in community and reef tanks.

9. White Spotted Puffer Fish

White spotted puffers are large solitary fish that can grow up to 18 inches.

Sometimes referred to as the stars and stripes puffer, this species is typically wild-caught. A solitary species in the wild, white spotted puffers are best to be housed alone.

Like other puffers, the white spotted puffer fish is not considered safe for reef tanks.

10. Green Spotted Puffer Fish

Green spotted puffers can grow to be around 6 inches and are known to live for about 10 years as pets.

Green spotted puffer fish (or GSPs for short) are commonly sold as freshwater fish even though they require saltwater conditions.

Healthy green spotted puffer fish will typically have a white rounded stomach rather than a flat one like other species. A gray stomach can indicate that your GSP is sick.

11. Porcupine Puffer Fish

Porcupine puffers are large, spiny fish closely related to puffer fish.

They are in a different family than others because they are porcupine fish rather than puffer fish.

They are also known as long spine porcupine fish, and you may even hear them referred to as a balloon fish or hedgehog fish. 

Porcupine puffers can grow to between 8–14 inches and live up to 20 years. 

They are covered in sharp spines that stick out when inflating.

12. Guineafowl Puffer Fish

Guineafowl puffers are large saltwater fish that come in different colors and can grow up to 20 inches long.

They are close relatives of the stars and stripes Puffer. 

Guineafowl puffers feed on coral in the wild, so they should not be housed in a reef tank.