New puffer

Question
Hi. i just got a green spotted pufferfish today. I noticed that inthe tank at the store, it had a perfectly white belly but when I brought it home, it had grey markings on its sides. Is this because of stress because it whent away after a while. Also, how do I tell if it is a male or Female?

Answer
Hi Meghann;

He was stressed from being moved. He should continue to settle in to his new home as long as the environment is good for his particular breed of puffer. There are three types of green spotted puffer and the importers and fish stores often get them confused so they can easily be labeled incorrectly. Here are web pages about how to tell so you can provide the best environment for him that you can;

http://puffernet.tripod.com/confusion.html

http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library/puffers-in-focus/an-introduction-to-...

http://www.aquariumlife.net/profiles/tetraodontidae/green-spotted-puffer/100006....

Unfortunately, green spotted puffers have no obvious sexual differences so you won't be able to tell.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins