Whitebelly puffer (Canthigaster bennetti) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Bennett's sharpnose puffer
Family
Tetraodontidae (pufferfishes)
Origin
Indo-Pacific.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
10 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
120 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

A small sharpnose puffer occasionally seen in the trade. A tank of about 120 litres with live rock should suit one fish (an estimate from its size). 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 1.023–1.026. Keep nitrate low and water quality stable. Toxins: like other pufferfish it carries tetrodotoxin in its skin and organs. Handle it carefully (with a container rather than a net) and never eat it, and a dead or dying puffer should be removed from the tank promptly. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern (assessed 2014). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canthigasterbennetti). Checked October 2026.

Diet

The sources give no wild diet. Like other sharpnose puffers it is best fed a varied meaty diet of mysis, krill and chopped shellfish with some algae-based food and occasional shelled foods to wear the beak.

Breeding

Not described in the sources.

Compatibility and tank mates

Listed as not reef safe: expect it to eat small crustaceans and snails and to nip at corals. Keep one per tank with fish that will not bully it.

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

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