New fig8 puffers

[babyduke]

I recently set up a 55G brackish tank and cycled it. Yesterday, I went to Petco and bought three fig8 puffers. My question is 2 of them are lighter colored and slim while the 3rd one is much darker in marks and has a round belly. Can someone explain this?

Guy at the store thinks the dark one is pregnant. I just laughed inside. FYI, they are small juveniles. He also claims that they will grow fast over 8" and become saltwater fish. I feel sorry for the customers who'll potentially take advices from him.

All 3 eat really well and are doing great as of this morning. I checked for ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and PH and everything is fine.

 

[SirMinion]

Your petstore guy needs to get a book.

Figure eights are true brackish fish and don't do well in fresh or marine conditions.
Their maximum size is listed as 2.3 inches.

It sound like he's getting them mixed up with the greenspotted puffer which is larger and can go to marine. (but doesn't have to)

Dark colours in puffers are usually a sign of stress, Some puffers go totaly black when unhappy.

What shape are the marks? if they're circular, then they'll be bites from the other puffers which explains why he's stressed.

Here's a couple of picture showing our brown puffer's colour change:

When we got him and put him in the tank he wasn't a happy bunny.

But he soon settled down. Yes! this is the same fish!