Scientific Name:
Canthigaster valentini.
Other Common Names:
Saddled Toby, Blacksaddled Toby, Valentini Toby, Model Puffer, Saddle Valentini Puffer.
Description:
The Valentini Puffer is a colorful fish with dark brown bands across the midsection, brownish-orange spotting on the lower half, yellow fins, and blue striping running along the back. It lacks pelvic fins, but has learned to use the pectoral fins to move about.
Distribution:
Indo-Pacific except Hawaii.
Diet:
This fish is an omnivore. Its eats a wide variety of marine life, but it feeds mainly on tips of branching corals and to a lesser extent on sponges, mollusks, bryozoans, tunicates, algae, crabs, shrimps, and detritus. In captivity it may not be quick to adjust to tank fed fares, because of its coral diet preference. However, once adjusted it may accept freshly chopped or frozen fares, such as shrimp, crab, squid and fish, and possibly herbivore fares. Of course, it is not suitable for reef tanks.
Characteristics:
It has the ability to inflate by inhaling air or water. This is a protective defense that Puffers have which prevents them from being eaten by other fish. When it expands and inflates itself, a predator finds it difficult to swallow or get its mouth around the fish. When inflated, this Puffer's body has a soft prickly texture, which is harmless to the touch. This is a fairly docile Puffer, generally getting along with other fish, except of its own kind. Due to its toxic nature it is recommended for a fish-only community tank with other fish that have the same or similar traits. It is not suitable for a reef tank.
Maximum Size:
This Puffer can attain 4.5" in length.
