Buy Aulonocara and Malawi at Vegas Valley Cichlids

$299.99

$55
FLAT RATE SHIPPING

100% LIVE ARRIVAL
GUARANTEE

TALK TO A PERSON
SUPPORT 24/7

$55
FLAT RATE SHIPPING

100% LIVE ARRIVAL
GUARANTEE

TALK TO A PERSON
SUPPORT 24/7

Availability: 2 In Stock

Cross River Puffer (Tetraodon pustulatus)

The Cross River Puffer, also known as the Pustulatus Puffer, is a rare and highly sought-after freshwater pufferfish native to the Cross River Basin in Nigeria and Cameroon. Known for its large size, vibrant pattern, and aggressive personality, it is considered one of the most impressive freshwater puffers in the aquarium trade.


Origin and Habitat

  • Native Region:

    • Endemic to the Cross River Basin in West Africa (Nigeria & Cameroon).
    • Found in slow to moderately flowing freshwater rivers and streams.
    • Prefers areas with rocky substrates, submerged driftwood, and dense aquatic vegetation.
  • Natural Behavior:

    • A highly predatory species that hunts crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.
    • Uses its beak-like teeth to crush hard-shelled prey.

Physical Characteristics

  • Size:

    • Can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm), making it one of the larger freshwater puffer species.
  • Coloration & Pattern:

    • Yellowish-tan body with distinct dark blotches and spots, resembling a jaguar pattern.
    • Large dark eyes that help it detect movement in dimly lit waters.
  • Body Shape:

    • Typical pufferfish shape with a rounded body and powerful fins for maneuverability.
    • Can inflate itself as a defense mechanism when threatened.
  • Lifespan:

    • Can live up to 10-15 years in captivity with proper care.

Behavior and Temperament

  • Temperament:

    • Highly aggressive and territorial, especially towards other fish.
    • Will attack and bite tank mates, particularly if they invade its space.
    • Intelligent and interactive, can recognize and respond to its owner.
  • Solitary Nature:

    • Best kept alone or in a species-specific setup.
    • Keeping multiple Cross River Puffers in one tank is not recommended unless it is extremely large with multiple hiding spots.

Aquarium Care

  • Tank Size:

    • Minimum 125 gallons for a single specimen.
    • Larger tanks (150+ gallons) are ideal to provide ample swimming space.
  • Water Parameters:

    • Temperature: 76-82°F (24-28°C)
    • pH: 6.5-7.5
    • Hardness: Soft to moderate
    • Requires high oxygenation and strong filtration due to its messy eating habits.
  • Tank Setup:

    • Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel to protect its delicate underbelly.
    • Decor: Provide driftwood, caves, and rock structures for hiding and territory establishment.
    • Plants: Hardy plants like Anubias and Java Fern, though puffers may uproot them.
    • Filtration: Heavy-duty filtration and weekly water changes are required to maintain water quality.

Diet and Feeding

  • Carnivorous Diet:

    • In the wild, they prey on snails, crabs, shrimp, and small fish.
    • They must be fed a diet rich in hard-shelled foods to prevent their beak from overgrowing.
  • Best Foods:

    • Live or frozen snails (helps keep their teeth trimmed).
    • Shellfish (crayfish, shrimp, mussels).
    • Earthworms, bloodworms, or mealworms as occasional treats.
    • Crustacean-based pellets can be offered but should not be the main diet.
  • Feeding Schedule:

    • Feed every other day to maintain a healthy weight.

Breeding

  • Reproduction in the Wild:

    • Little is known about their breeding behavior in the wild.
    • Believed to lay eggs in rocky crevices, with minimal parental care.
  • Captive Breeding:

    • Extremely difficult and rarely successful.
    • Requires specialized conditions that mimic the natural rainy season of the Cross River Basin.

Tank Mates (if any)

  • Best Kept Alone!

    • Due to their aggressive nature, they should be kept as a single specimen.
    • If you must keep them with other fish, choose fast-moving and durable tank mates like:
      • Large plecos
      • Giant danios
      • Silver dollars
      • Large bichirs
  • Avoid:

    • Any small fish (e.g., tetras, guppies, corydoras) – will be eaten.
    • Other puffers – likely to fight.
    • Slow-moving or long-finned fish – will be nipped at constantly.

Cross River Puffer (Tetraodon pustulatus)

The Cross River Puffer, also known as the Pustulatus Puffer, is a rare and highly sought-after freshwater pufferfish native to the Cross River Basin in Nigeria and Cameroon. Known for its large size, vibrant pattern, and aggressive personality, it is considered one of the most impressive freshwater puffers in the aquarium trade.


Origin and Habitat

  • Native Region:

    • Endemic to the Cross River Basin in West Africa (Nigeria & Cameroon).
    • Found in slow to moderately flowing freshwater rivers and streams.
    • Prefers areas with rocky substrates, submerged driftwood, and dense aquatic vegetation.
  • Natural Behavior:

    • A highly predatory species that hunts crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.
    • Uses its beak-like teeth to crush hard-shelled prey.

Physical Characteristics

  • Size:

    • Can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm), making it one of the larger freshwater puffer species.
  • Coloration & Pattern:

    • Yellowish-tan body with distinct dark blotches and spots, resembling a jaguar pattern.
    • Large dark eyes that help it detect movement in dimly lit waters.
  • Body Shape:

    • Typical pufferfish shape with a rounded body and powerful fins for maneuverability.
    • Can inflate itself as a defense mechanism when threatened.
  • Lifespan:

    • Can live up to 10-15 years in captivity with proper care.

Behavior and Temperament

  • Temperament:

    • Highly aggressive and territorial, especially towards other fish.
    • Will attack and bite tank mates, particularly if they invade its space.
    • Intelligent and interactive, can recognize and respond to its owner.
  • Solitary Nature:

    • Best kept alone or in a species-specific setup.
    • Keeping multiple Cross River Puffers in one tank is not recommended unless it is extremely large with multiple hiding spots.

Aquarium Care

  • Tank Size:

    • Minimum 125 gallons for a single specimen.
    • Larger tanks (150+ gallons) are ideal to provide ample swimming space.
  • Water Parameters:

    • Temperature: 76-82°F (24-28°C)
    • pH: 6.5-7.5
    • Hardness: Soft to moderate
    • Requires high oxygenation and strong filtration due to its messy eating habits.
  • Tank Setup:

    • Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel to protect its delicate underbelly.
    • Decor: Provide driftwood, caves, and rock structures for hiding and territory establishment.
    • Plants: Hardy plants like Anubias and Java Fern, though puffers may uproot them.
    • Filtration: Heavy-duty filtration and weekly water changes are required to maintain water quality.

Diet and Feeding

  • Carnivorous Diet:

    • In the wild, they prey on snails, crabs, shrimp, and small fish.
    • They must be fed a diet rich in hard-shelled foods to prevent their beak from overgrowing.
  • Best Foods:

    • Live or frozen snails (helps keep their teeth trimmed).
    • Shellfish (crayfish, shrimp, mussels).
    • Earthworms, bloodworms, or mealworms as occasional treats.
    • Crustacean-based pellets can be offered but should not be the main diet.
  • Feeding Schedule:

    • Feed every other day to maintain a healthy weight.

Breeding

  • Reproduction in the Wild:

    • Little is known about their breeding behavior in the wild.
    • Believed to lay eggs in rocky crevices, with minimal parental care.
  • Captive Breeding:

    • Extremely difficult and rarely successful.
    • Requires specialized conditions that mimic the natural rainy season of the Cross River Basin.

Tank Mates (if any)

  • Best Kept Alone!

    • Due to their aggressive nature, they should be kept as a single specimen.
    • If you must keep them with other fish, choose fast-moving and durable tank mates like:
      • Large plecos
      • Giant danios
      • Silver dollars
      • Large bichirs
  • Avoid:

    • Any small fish (e.g., tetras, guppies, corydoras) – will be eaten.
    • Other puffers – likely to fight.
    • Slow-moving or long-finned fish – will be nipped at constantly.

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

Q: I just completed my order, what's next?
A: Before shipment, we quarantine all fish for at least 24-48 hours. During this period, we closely monitor the fish to make sure they are healthy. We also do not feed them during this time in order to 'clean out' their digestive system and limit their ability to soil the water.  This helps reduce the amount of waste in the bag and will keep the water clean.

Q: When can I expect my order to be ship?
A: Please see Chart below (No Shipping on Holiday)

Order Placed on:

Ship Date:

Arrival Date: UPS Overnight

Arrival Date: Southwest

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

Thursday

Wednesday

Monday

Tuesday

Friday

Thursday

Monday

Tuesday

Saturday

Friday

Monday

Tuesday

Sunday

Saturday

Monday

Tuesday

Monday

Sunday

Tuesday

Wed

Tuesday

Southwest: Depending on your location some cities have limited amount of flights per day. I will normally communicate this with you via email or text the arrival date and arrival time.

Note:  If the arrival date above don’t work for you please let me know on the note section upon check out on when you prefer to receive the package.

Q: Who delivers my order and how much?
A: UPS Next Day Air:
     For a low flat rate of $55 any where in the US with any size box.          

    Southwest:
    
For any order over $200 or order containing mostly large 4+ Males,
    we recommend Southwest Air Cargo for flat rate of $65.

Q: I just completed my order, what's next?
A: Before shipment, we quarantine all fish for at least 24-48 hours. During this period, we closely monitor the fish to make sure they are healthy. We also do not feed them during this time in order to 'clean out' their digestive system and limit their ability to soil the water.  This helps reduce the amount of waste in the bag and will keep the water clean.

Q: When can I expect my order to be ship?
A: Please see Chart below (No Shipping on Holiday)

Order Placed on:

Ship Date:

Arrival Date: UPS Overnight

Arrival Date: Southwest

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

Thursday

Wednesday

Monday

Tuesday

Friday

Thursday

Monday

Tuesday

Saturday

Friday

Monday

Tuesday

Sunday

Saturday

Monday

Tuesday

Monday

Sunday

Tuesday

Wed

Tuesday

Southwest: Depending on your location some cities have limited amount of flights per day. I will normally communicate this with you via email or text the arrival date and arrival time.

Note:  If the arrival date above don’t work for you please let me know on the note section upon check out on when you prefer to receive the package.

Q: Who delivers my order and how much?
A: UPS Next Day Air:
     For a low flat rate of $55 any where in the US with any size box.          

    Southwest:
    
For any order over $200 or order containing mostly large 4+ Males,
    we recommend Southwest Air Cargo for flat rate of $65.

Q: Some or all of my fish arrived dead - what do I do?
A: We offer a Live Arrival Guarantee service for four hours after door delivery. In the event that a fish arrives dead in the shipping bag, you must take clear digital pictures of the fish in an unopened bag and email it to vegasvalleycichlids@gmail.com within four hours of receiving your package. Live Arrival Guarantee is voided after the bags have been opened.

VegasValleyCichlids.com will also refund (Not Store Credit) on any DOA'S that involve carrier mishandling, which includes delays (Less than 48 hours), damaged boxes or water temperature extremes. DOA's must be reported the day of arrival and be accompanied by an emailed photo to ensure refund.

    25% DOA
    We will refund 25% of shipping and the price of the DOA fish. 

   50% DOA
  
We will refund 50% of shipping the and price of the DOA fish.

   75% DOA
   We will refund 100% of shipping and 100% of all the fish.
   You keep the fishes that made it for FREE.

 

Q: Some or all of my fish arrived dead - what do I do?
A: We offer a Live Arrival Guarantee service for four hours after door delivery. In the event that a fish arrives dead in the shipping bag, you must take clear digital pictures of the fish in an unopened bag and email it to vegasvalleycichlids@gmail.com within four hours of receiving your package. Live Arrival Guarantee is voided after the bags have been opened.

VegasValleyCichlids.com will also refund (Not Store Credit) on any DOA'S that involve carrier mishandling, which includes delays (Less than 48 hours), damaged boxes or water temperature extremes. DOA's must be reported the day of arrival and be accompanied by an emailed photo to ensure refund.

    25% DOA
    We will refund 25% of shipping and the price of the DOA fish. 

   50% DOA
  
We will refund 50% of shipping the and price of the DOA fish.

   75% DOA
   We will refund 100% of shipping and 100% of all the fish.
   You keep the fishes that made it for FREE.

 

Cross River Puffer Cross River Puffer

Just added to your wishlist:
noimage
My Wishlist
You've just added this product to the cart:
noimage
Go to cart page