Home/Store/Fish In Stock
Cross River Puffer For Sale Online
+2

Cross River Puffer - (Tetraodon pustulatus)

$700.00
Wild Caught
Price of shipping is not included.
Size
Questions, Comments, Concerns? Let us know below!
Enter your text
In stock: 1 available
1
Save this fish to my favorites.
Customer reviews
Reviews only from verified customers
No reviews yet. You can buy this product and be the first to leave a review.
Share this product with your friends
ShareSharePin it
Cross River Puffer - (Tetraodon pustulatus)
Fish Details, Description and Information Below:

🐡 Cross River Puffer — (Tetraodon pustulatus)

The Cross River Puffer is considered one of the most sought-after puffers in the aquarium hobby — often called one of the “holy grails” of puffer fish, ranking just below the legendary Duboisi Puffer (Tetraodon duboisi) in rarity and prestige. Known for its bold patterning, large size, and intelligent, almost pet-like behavior, this species is a dream fish for serious puffer keepers.

Native to the Cross River system in West Africa, it inhabits freshwater environments with moderate to strong current, often in deeper channels and along rocky or sandy substrates. Its rarity in the trade comes from both collection difficulty and the need for specialized care.


🌊 Tank Setup

  • 🏠 Tank Size: Minimum 200–300+ gallons for a single adult — these puffers get big and need space to turn comfortably.
  • ⛰️ Aquascape with open swimming space, sturdy décor, and smooth rocks (avoid sharp edges).
  • 💧 Strong filtration and current — pristine water is essential for health.
  • 🌊 Brisk water movement and high oxygen levels preferred.

🍽️ Diet

  • 🦐 Strict carnivore — requires a diet rich in shellfish (clams, snails, crab legs, mussels) to keep teeth worn down naturally.
  • 🐟 Also accepts fish fillet, shrimp, crayfish, and other meaty foods.
  • ⚠️ Must feed hard-shelled prey regularly to prevent dangerous tooth overgrowth.

⚖️ Temperament

  • ⚔️ Highly aggressive and predatory — should be kept alone. Will attack or kill tankmates, even other puffers.
  • 🧠 Extremely intelligent and interactive — recognizes keepers, learns feeding schedules, and may beg for food like a puppy.

🧠 Behavior & Care

  • 👀 Curious and alert — needs environmental enrichment to prevent boredom.
  • 🧼 Requires spotless water — sensitive to ammonia/nitrite spikes.
  • 🦷 Dental care is crucial — diet must maintain beak health.
  • 🚚 Large tank and heavy filtration make this a long-term commitment fish.

📋 At a glance

🔖 Scientific Name Tetraodon pustulatus
🐟 Common Name Cross River Puffer
🌎 Origin Cross River, West Africa
📏 Size 18–26" (45–66 cm)
🌡️ Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C)
💧 pH Range 6.5–7.5
🐟 Temperament Extremely aggressive / solitary
🏠 Tank Size 200–300+ gallons
🍽️ Diet Carnivore (hard-shelled foods essential)
🎯 Experience Expert only

💡 The Cross River Puffer is not just a fish — it’s an interactive, intelligent aquatic predator that demands space, power filtration, and the right diet. Rarely seen, highly prized, and requiring expert care, it stands just one step below the elusive Duboisi Puffer in puffer fish prestige.

Show More
Below are fish you may also like.
Captive Bred
Electric Blue Ahli - (Sciaenochromis Fryeri)
Electric Blue Ahli - (Sciaenochromis Fryeri)
Electric Blue Ahli - (Sciaenochromis Fryeri)
Price of shipping is not included.
$80.00
Out of stock
Captive Bred
Lemon Jake Peacock Cichlid - (Aulonocara sp.)
Lemon Jake Peacock Cichlid - (Aulonocara sp.)
Lemon Jake Peacock Cichlid - (Aulonocara sp.)
Price of shipping is not included.
$65.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
Phase I Luteus Pleco/Golden Sailfin Pleco - (Hypostomus Luteus) Argentina
Phase I Luteus Pleco/Golden Sailfin Pleco - (Hypostomus Luteus) Argentina
Phase I Luteus Pleco/Golden Sailfin Pleco - (Hypostomus Luteus) Argentina
Price of shipping is not included.
$600.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L302 - (Lasiancistrus schomburgkii)
L302 - (Lasiancistrus schomburgkii)
L302 - (Lasiancistrus schomburgkii)
Price of shipping is not included.
$45.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
Striped Pike Cichlid For Sale Online
Striped Pike Cichlid/Tapajos Strigata Pike Cichlid - (Crenicichla strigata)
Striped Pike Cichlid/Tapajos Strigata Pike Cichlid - (Crenicichla strigata)
Price of shipping is not included.
$30.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L077 Rusty Pleco - (Hypostomus sp.)
L077 Rusty Pleco - (Hypostomus sp.)
L077 Rusty Pleco - (Hypostomus sp.)
Price of shipping is not included.
$40.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
Bumble Bee Otocinclus - (Rhinotocinclus isabelae)
Bumble Bee Otocinclus - (Rhinotocinclus isabelae)
Bumble Bee Otocinclus - (Rhinotocinclus isabelae)
Price of shipping is not included.
$20.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
African Starry Night Eel - (Mastacembelus frenatus)
African Starry Night Eel - (Mastacembelus frenatus)
African Starry Night Eel - (Mastacembelus frenatus)
Price of shipping is not included.
$40.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
African Tiger Fish - (Hydrocynus Vittatus)
African Tiger Fish - (Hydrocynus Vittatus)
African Tiger Fish - (Hydrocynus Vittatus)
Price of shipping is not included.
$120.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
Baby Whale Catfish - (Cetopsis coecutiens)
Baby Whale Catfish - (Cetopsis coecutiens)
Baby Whale Catfish - (Cetopsis coecutiens)
Price of shipping is not included.
$45.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L250 Fragmented Zebra Pleco - (Hypancistrus sp.)
L250 Fragmented Zebra Pleco - (Hypancistrus sp.)
L250 Fragmented Zebra Pleco - (Hypancistrus sp.)
Price of shipping is not included.
$500.00
Out of stock
Wild Caught
L311 Bigfin Pleco - (Hypostomus sp.)
L311 Bigfin Pleco - (Hypostomus sp.)
L311 Bigfin Pleco - (Hypostomus sp.)
Price of shipping is not included.
$200.00
Out of stock
  • Search for Fish
  • My Account
  • Track Orders
  • Favorite Fish.
  • Fish Shopping Bag
Powered by Lightspeed
Display prices in:USD
Skip to main content
ENES
Menu
Home
Shop For Fish
Terms & Conditions
Shipping & Payments
About Us
Contact Us
© Jasons Plecos & Cichlids LLC 2017-2025
Language:
ENES
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyShipping & Payment InfoReturn PolicyQuarantine Your FishReport abuse
Powered by Lightspeed