Map puffer (Arothron mappa) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Map pufferfish, Scribbled pufferfish, Kesho-fugu
Family
Tetraodontidae (pufferfishes)
Origin
Indian Ocean to the western Pacific; deep drop-offs, clear lagoons and sheltered reefs to 30 m; juveniles on seagrass beds.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
65 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Care level
expert
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

At up to 65 cm this puffer outgrows home aquaria and is for public-aquarium-sized systems only. It needs a very large volume, heavy filtration and robust decor it cannot damage. Water figures given here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and a specific gravity of 1.020–1.025 (fish-only systems can run at the lower end). Puffers produce a lot of waste, so strong skimming and regular water changes matter. It is a solitary, day-active bottom-dweller. The pale body is covered in a maze of dark lines radiating from the eye, which gives it its common name. Toxins: it carries tetrodotoxin, which the source says comes from symbiotic bacteria rather than the fish itself. The skin, liver, gonads and gut are dangerous to eat. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arothronmappa). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Feeds on bottom-living invertebrates, crustaceans, sponges and algae. Its teeth grow throughout life and need hard-shelled foods to wear them down, so offer whole shellfish, crab, prawns and snails alongside other marine foods.

Breeding

In the wild the male digs a large circular, maze-like pattern in the sand that attracts females and serves as the nest. The female lays her eggs there and the male fertilises them; the larvae drift in the plankton. Not bred in home aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: it eats crustaceans, molluscs and other invertebrates. Keep alone or with very large, robust fish in a public-aquarium-sized system.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.