Edible Plants for a Green Spotted Puffer Fish

Green spotted puffer fish are omnivores, but they prefer a more carnivorous meal. Feed green spotted puffer fish brine shrimp, bloodworms, small crustaceans and other hard foods to keep their sharp teeth down. Plants should be kept in the aquarium to provide nutrients to the water. The problem is that green spotted puffers are voracious eaters, and will eat the plants. Make sure to find edible plants that will not harm the puffer fish. Since puffer fish must be in brackish water, choose plants that will survive the salt in the water.

  1. Vesicularia Dubayana

    • Also know as the Java moss, Vesicularia dubayana grows well in slightly brackish water and does not require much light or care. Tie the moss to a rock or log with biodegradable string. The moss will take root and the string will dissolve. Since puffer fish also love to hide, the moss creates a hiding place for them. The fish can eat the Java Fern, and it will not harm them. The problem is that the fish might completey eat and destroy the plant. It is a good idea to let the moss grow and become fully established before putting any green spotted puffer fish in the tank.

    Bacopa Monnieri

    • Bacopa monnieri, also known as Moneywort or Brahmi, is a tall aquarium plant that can grow fully submerged or only partially submerged in the water. It has round leaves that climb up a long stem. Cuttings are placed in the tank and the plant will develop roots in the substrate. Bacopa monnieri require lots of sunlight to survive. A plant light will solve this problem. Green spotted puffer fish can eat the plant without becoming ill. Usually, unless very hungry, the fish will leave the plant alone.

    Crinum Spp.

    • Also kown as the onion plant, there are several Crinum species that will grow well in brackish water. They can also be eaten by green puffer fish without harming them. The plant grows from a bulb that is planted in deep substrate. It needs plenty of light to grow. Crinum calamistratum and Crinum pedunculatum handle brackish water well and are hardy, but Crinum thaianum, which is more readily available, will also survive in brackish water.

    Lilaeopsis Brasiliensis

    • The Brazilian Micro Sword, Lilaeopsis brasiliensis, is a foreground aquarium plant that looks like sharp blades of grass. It will grow along the foreground of the tank and does not grow very tall. The leaves will grow up to 3 inches in height. The plant makes a good playground for green spotted puffer fish and they will nibble on the leaves. The Brazilian Micro Sword does not need a lot of light to grow, but heavy light will stunt its growth.

    Considerations

    • The best way to keep green spotted puffer fish from eating aquarium plants, is to not use plants at all. Even a well-fed puffer fish will eat the plants. They will eat themselves to death. To make sure that the fish gets plenty of veggies, give them algae wafers or other plant foods. When the puffer fish is bigger, feed live food the algae wafers and the puffer fish will get the nutrients through eating the live food. Make sure to give puffer fish small crabs to keep their teeth from becoming too big.