Bornean redeye puffer

Carinotetraodon borneensis

A pale male side stripe and red belly, with a grey-black rather than red tail

The illustrated male has grey-olive flanks, a thin pale yellow stripe, red-orange ventral colour and red eyes. A black pectoral base and grey-to-black, pale-edged tail matter. Females have different reticulation and tail markings.

Adult length: Up to 4.4 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
Water temperature: 20–28 °C
pH: 6–7.5
Hardness: 2–12 dGH

Small size does not remove territorial pursuit or fin-biting risk, particularly between males.

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Appearance and identification

A Bornean freshwater dwarf puffer. Male C. irrubesco has a red tail; the dark pectoral base and contrasting tail edge help separate this fish. Also distinguish the barred C. salivator. Red eyes or trade names alone do not establish identity.

Social behaviour and territory

Males defend space. Conditional conspecific housing requires space, cover and a separation option; successful anecdotes do not establish a safe formula.

Compatibility limits

Plan a species aquarium. Shrimp and snails may be eaten and neighbours bitten; shared water ranges do not establish compatibility.

Space requirements

Use roots, plants and floating shade to break sight lines, with gentle flow and clean stable water. The profile’s 60 × 30 cm base does not establish a universal group configuration or stocking calculation.

Aquarium environment

Dense planting provides cover and exploration without making shrimp safe or eliminating maintenance.

Diet and feeding

Offer suitably sized snails, crustaceans and varied live or frozen foods, confirming individual intake. Do not assume dry-food acceptance or rely solely on resident snails.

Sources