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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/18/2007 11:15:22 AM
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| Upon searching the net, I come across different versions of the Golden Puffer. You have the Arothron meleagris that sells at various online site including marinedepotlive and saltwaterfish.com. Then you check out other sites that are selling Golden puffers that are listed as Arothron nigropunctatus, like at marinecenter and justrarefish. The pictures of these fish look the same, pricing on all the fish vary like crazy depending on the site. My question is what are the diffenences of these two golden puffers, why the high price variances etc. What exactly is the most sought after golden puffer? Thanks Bill
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 9/22/2008 7:42:40 AM
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| Bill, Welcome to MarineDepot.com ! I have moved this to my forum - Disease, Health & Wellness as I am the "expert" on puffers. The arothron meleagris has many morphs - yellow, brown or black with spots and then a combination of the previous two mentioned. The "solid" yellow is not as prevalent in the ocean and in many hobbyists' eyes more colorful/beautiful - therefore does demand a higher price. The arothron can grow to almost 20 inches. The arothron nigropunctatus can come in a variety of colors/patterns. Often one can find a "yellow or orange bellied" or some with very little gray. The solid bright yellow arothron nigropunctatus are very rare - some LFS or wholesalers will often mislabel the meleagris as a nigropunctatus or use the wrong pic/id - I have gotten my hopes up too many times to count. I have heard of one coming out of the Solomon Islands. The arothron nigropunctatus will only grow to around a foot. Hope this helps. Let me know if you need help ID'ng in the future. Best of luck.
Kelly
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/18/2007 11:15:22 AM
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Kelly, thanks for the quick response. I posted at this forum thinking you would answer, as I've read many posts by you on the web. I trust your advice, one thing I'm noticed since taking up this hobby is how much "expect" opinion can vary from topic to topic  .Just some followup questions, basically the "holy grail" is a Bright golden Arothron nigropunctatus? So, if an online retailer was offering this fish(marinecenter or justrarefish), it would be a good idea to ask them to email a photo of the actual fish? Is there really a difference where the fish comes from? Hawaii, Tonga, fiji etc...as price seems to change based on this? My other question was, you got me off guard when you said the Arothron meleagris can grow up to 20", most if not all online retailers list, including marinedepotlive, list the fish has growing to 13", why would that be? My final question, how do you actually tell the 2 fish apart to properly identify? I am really interested in buying a Golden Puffer, I am just trying to weed through all the misinformation out there to make a good decision. Wow, as I write this my regular Dogface Puffer just puffed up, only the second time in a year that I have seen that happen, of course I saw it a little to late to grab my camera  Thanks Bill Bill
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 9/22/2008 7:42:40 AM
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| Bill, You are not kidding about finding conflicting information! If you go with reliable sources - you will find the meleagris sizes: Scott Michael - 50 cm www.fishbase.org - 50 cm Kuiter & Debelius - 45 cm Burgess - lists them as 15 cm - NO WAY!!! In my dives I have never seen a meleagris less than a foot. Morphs are often found in different regions. Prices vary according to the shipping costs to get the fish to the wholesalers - air freight, larger puffers - larger boxes, etc.... Whether one area has the best puffer - ??? Telling the two apart is based on head shape, markings on body and fins. The body shape also varies. I would not order one unless they can provide you with the actual pic of the fish not a standard photo used in advertising. If you currently have an arothron nigropunctatus - I would go with the meleagris as there would be less chance of fighting. What size tank will these puffers be living? Thanks for sharing/contributing. Best of luck.
Kelly
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/18/2007 11:15:22 AM
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| I was previously informed that the meleagris should be ok with my Dogface, but I was also under the assumption the fish would max out a about 13"(and as a Canadian living in California, I understand centimeters ) The 20" max scares me now. I currently have 6' 125G, stocked with the dogface, Hawaiin Black Trigger, Blue Tang, a snowflake and Zebra Eel. I call the 125G the crack cocaine of the hobby, once you have one your hooked, and are not satisfied.
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 9/22/2008 7:42:40 AM
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| Bill, I would not add the meleagris to the 125 gallon especially with the bioload that is already in it - I would suggest upgrading- 220 or 240 would be nice!
Kelly
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/18/2007 11:15:22 AM
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| An upgrade is definately going to happen, like I said the crack, just fuels the fire I want to convert my 125 to a reef and move my small 36g reef I have into it, then have a much larger Fowlr. But if the right fish at the right price comes along....
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