Red Eye Red Tailed Puffer - (Carinotetraodon irrubesco)

🐟 Red Eye Red Tailed Puffer – (Carinotetraodon irrubesco) – Rare Freshwater Puffer Fish for Sale

The Red Eye Red Tailed Puffer (Carinotetraodon irrubesco) is a small, rare freshwater pufferfish species native to slow-moving rivers and swampy habitats of Sumatra and Borneo. It is named for its striking red eyes and bright red tail, which contrast beautifully against its olive-brown, subtly patterned body.

Unlike some puffers, this species tends to be less aggressive toward tankmates, especially when kept in a properly aquascaped environment with plenty of hiding spots. However, caution is still advised as with all puffers.

🔎 Quick Facts – Red Eye Red Tailed Puffer (Carinotetraodon irrubesco)

• 📛 Common Names: Red Eye Red Tailed Puffer, Irrubesco Puffer
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Carinotetraodon irrubesco
• 🌍 Origin: Sumatra & Borneo, Indonesia
• 🎨 Appearance: Olive-brown body with subtle markings, vivid red eyes, and a bright red tail (more pronounced in males)
• 📏 Max Size: 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm)
• 💎 Availability: Rare in the aquarium trade; mostly wild-caught

😇 Behavior & Temperament

• 🤝 Semi-aggressive; best kept singly, in pairs, or with very fast/non-finny fish
• 👫 Males are more colorful and territorial than females
• 🪵 Enjoys exploring heavily planted aquariums
• 🧠 Intelligent, curious, and interactive with keepers

🏠 Aquarium & Tank Requirements

• 📦 Minimum Tank Size: 15+ gallons for a single, 20+ gallons for a pair
• 🌿 Dense planting with driftwood, caves, and hiding spots
• 🪵 Fine sand substrate preferred
• 💡 Moderate lighting to enhance colors
• 🌊 Gentle water flow

💧 Water Parameters – Red Eye Red Tailed Puffer Care

• 🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
• ⚗️ pH: 6.5–7.5
• 💧 Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water

🍽️ Diet – Carnivorous

• 🐌 Live snails (essential for beak health)
• 🦐 Frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp
• 🪱 Blackworms, tubifex worms
• ⚠️ Avoid feeding mammal meats or fatty foods

📋 Red Eye Red Tailed Puffer Care Overview Table

✨ Highlight:

• The Red Eye Red Tailed Puffer is a rare, beautifully colored freshwater puffer with bright red eyes and tail, perfect for aquarists who want a small but striking personality fish in a well-planted aquarium.