Starry Puffer

Starry Puffer (Arothron stellatus)

The Starry Puffer, also known as the Stellate Puffer, features an orange body adorned with dark spots. As one of the largest pufferfish species, it can grow up to 4 feet in the wild, though it typically reaches around 2 feet in a home aquarium. This species lacks pelvic fins but adeptly uses its pectoral fins for movement within the tank. When threatened or stressed, the Starry Puffer can inflate its body to nearly twice its normal size as a defense mechanism. Its flesh is toxic if ingested, and it has a beak-like structure formed by fused teeth. For optimal care, a 300-gallon or larger fish-only aquarium equipped with a robust protein skimmer is recommended. The Starry Puffer may consume invertebrates in a reef tank and can become stressed when netted, so using a container for transfer is advised. A varied diet of meaty foods, including squid, krill, clams, and hard-shelled shrimp, is essential to manage the growth of its ever-expanding teeth.