Red Eye Puffer
Red Eye Puffer
Red Eye Puffer (Carinotetraodon lorteti) is a small freshwater puffer from Southeast Asia with a vivid red iris that catches the light immediately. The body is pale to cream with dark brown spotting, and males develop darker ventral coloration and a characteristic wrinkled 'sack' of skin on the underside. A relatively small and compact puffer with strong individual personality.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms is the ideal primary staple — nano puffers are enthusiastic bloodworm hunters. Feed 2–3 times daily in small amounts. For dental health, provide live or frozen small snails (bladder snails, ramshorn snails) and small shrimp with shells several times per week. Snail availability is essential — see the snail colony tip below.
Native to rivers and streams of Thailand, Cambodia, and surrounding mainland Southeast Asia — slow to moderately moving water with soft substrate and vegetation. One of several small freshwater puffers from the region, though less commonly available than the Pea Puffer.
All puffer fish have fused, beak-like teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. Hard foods — snails, shellfish, and crustaceans with intact shells — are essential for wearing down the teeth. A puffer fed only soft foods will eventually develop overgrown teeth that prevent eating, a condition requiring veterinary intervention. Snails and hard-shelled foods are dental care, not just food. An active snail hunter requiring a dedicated snail supply for long-term dental health. Can be nippy and territorial — species setup or very careful community selection.
Keep with more females than males. Males develop the characteristic ventral skin 'sack' as they mature — a distinctive and unusual feature.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Easy — Moderate |
| Temperament | Can be aggressive — species or careful community |
| Typical Adult Size | 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | 3 minimum — more females than males |
| Ideal Temp | 74–82°F (23–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Ideal GH | 5–15 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 2–8 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms |
| Treat / Supplement | Live/frozen snails; small shrimp with shells (dental essential) |
| Origin | Thailand, Cambodia, and mainland Southeast Asia |
| Notes | Vivid red iris. Males develop ventral skin sack with maturity. Snail hunter — snail colony essential. |
