Golden Puffer

The Golden Puffer is the striking xanthic (yellow) color morph of the Guineafowl Puffer, one of the largest and most impressive Arothron species available in the marine aquarium trade. While the standard color morph displays a dark brown to black body covered in white spots resembling guineafowl plumage, the golden morph exhibits a brilliant uniform yellow to golden-orange coloration that makes it one of the most visually striking pufferfish available. Some transitional specimens show a mix of both patterns.

This is a large, robust pufferfish that can reach up to 20 inches in the wild, though aquarium specimens typically max out somewhat smaller. Its massive size, heavy bioload, and voracious appetite for invertebrates make it suitable only for very large, dedicated fish-only aquarium systems. Like all Arothron puffers, it possesses powerful fused beak-like teeth capable of crushing hard-shelled prey and can inflate its body dramatically when threatened.

The Golden Puffer develops a remarkably interactive personality in captivity. It is intelligent, curious, and quickly learns to recognize and respond to its keeper. Despite its size, it is not overly aggressive toward fish tankmates, though it will aggressively pursue and consume any invertebrate in the tank. Its impressive size, bold coloration, and engaging personality make it a centerpiece fish for large fish-only systems, but prospective keepers must be prepared for the substantial space and filtration requirements this species demands.