Fahaka Nile Puffer Fish Tetraodon Lineatus 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Fahaka Puffer is a heavyweight African puffer marked with bold horizontal yellow and dark stripes and a mobile, watchful face that can blink. It is intelligent, learns its keeper and changes colour with mood, but it is one of the most aggressive fish in the trade. Native to the Nile and the great West African rivers, it suits experienced keepers with a huge species tank.
- Adult Size: Around 40–43 cm (16–17 in)
- Lifespan: 10–15 years
Origin
- Native to: Nile, Niger, Volta, Chad and Senegal basins
- Habitat: Large rivers and lakes, both open water and vegetated margins
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous; molluscivore taking snails and shellfish
- Preferred Foods: Snails, mussel, cockle, prawn, crab legs, earthworms
- Feeding Habits: Every two to three days once adult; shellfish regularly; juveniles daily
Tank Mates
- Best with: Nothing; strictly a solitary species for its whole life
- Avoid: All fish, including other puffers; even plecs get bitten
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Extremely aggressive
- Territoriality: Claims the whole tank; attacks and kills anything added
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Challenges: Enormous tank, heavy waste, powerful bite, lifelong solitary housing
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, moderately hard; not brackish
- Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)
- pH: 6.5–7.5
- Hardness: 5–15 dGH
- Flow: Moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 450 litres for a single adult; 120 cm long or more, strong filtration
Final Notes
A juvenile grows to the length of a forearm within two years, so only buy with a 450 litre or larger tank ready and a very strong filter, since it produces a lot of waste. Feed shelled foods regularly to wear down the beak, and keep fingers away when feeding. Sexes look alike, its flesh contains tetrodotoxin and it is sensitive to copper treatments. For the right keeper it is a fascinating, long-lived companion.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.