How Much Does a Puffer Fish Cost?

Puffer fish is one of the most fascinating and interactive fish species available in the aquarium trade. With their ability to inflate like balloons and their wild colorations, it's no wonder puffers have become a popular choice for exotic pet owners.

However, caring for these fish does require special considerations - and a reasonable budget. In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about the costs of purchasing and properly keeping puffer fish.

How Much Does a Puffer Fish Cost?

The first major expense of bringing home a puffer fish is the initial purchase price. There are over 190 species of puffer fish, with costs that can vary between $3 and $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) or more, based on type, size, age, and source.

Varieties and Their Price Ranges

Freshwater puffers like the common dwarf puffer or Amazon puffer typically cost between $3-$30 each from local pet stores. More exotic freshwater species like Congo puffers or giant puffers can range from $20-$100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per fish.

Marine puffers have a much higher starting price point, frequently $50-$300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) per fish. This includes popular types like dogface puffers, porcupine puffers and Valentini’s sharpnose puffers. Rare or larger puffer species are at the highest end of that spectrum.

Sources for Purchasing: Pet Stores vs. Online Retailers

Puffer fish can be purchased from specialty aquarium stores or ordered online through reputable retailers. Local pet shops often carry common varieties and juveniles priced at the lower end. The benefit is being able to pick out specific healthy individuals.

Online sources offer a wider diversity of puffer species and sizes but with the risk of shipping stress or deteriorated water quality. Use overnight shipping if buying fish online and expect to pay $50+ (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour) in shipping fees alone.

Our Fit Pets notes that Pufferfish prices depend on their species and appearance. According to them, a puffer can cost anywhere from $17 to $60 (≈4 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour).

Unique Pets Wiki lists the following pufferfish prices depending on their type:

• Dogface Puffer: $45 (≈3 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job)
• Fahaka Puffer: $25 (≈1.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour)
• Figure Eight Puffer Fish: $10 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage)
• Freshwater Dwarf Puffer: $2
• Green Spotted Puffer Fish: $6
• Leopard Puffer: $40 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour)
• Narrow-lined Puffer: $35 (≈2.3 hours of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour)
• Porcupine Puffer: $38 (≈2.5 hours at the office earning $15/hour)
• Reticulated Puffer: $65 (≈4.3 hours that you sacrifice at a $15/hour job)
• Saddle Puffer: $30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour)
• Scribbled Arothron Puffer: $65 (≈4.3 hours that you sacrifice at a $15/hour job)
• Spiny Box Puffer: $25 (≈1.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour)
• Starry Puffer: $85 (≈5.7 hours of your life traded for $15/hour)
• Stars and Stripes Puffer: $45 (≈3 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job)
• True Red Eye Puffer Fish: $10 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage)
• Twin Spotted Puffer: $133 (≈1.1 days working without days off at $15/hour)

LifeAquaria.com lists the following examples of pufferfish prices:

• Fahaka Puffer: $25 (≈1.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour)
• Porcupine Puffer: $38 (≈2.5 hours at the office earning $15/hour)

At the time of writing, there were also "Buy It Now" listings on eBay.com ranging from $40 to $85 (≈5.7 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) for various sizes of pufferfish.

Setting Up a Puffer Fish Aquarium

In addition to the fish itself, puffer owners need to budget for an appropriate aquarium setup. Puffers cannot be kept in tiny desktop tanks - they require larger enclosures with specific water conditions.

Aquarium Size and Type Requirements

The minimum tank size depends on the puffer species. Dwarf puffers need at least 10 gallons, while medium puffers require 30-50 gallon tanks. Larger marine puffers need 100+ gallon aquariums.

A basic 30-50 gallon freshwater setup costs $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage)-600. A 100+ gallon marine system with sump and protein skimmer averages $2000 (≈3.3 weeks trading your time for $15/hour)-4000.

Essential Equipment and Setup Costs

Aside from the tank itself, important puffer fish aquarium equipment includes:

• Strong filtration ($50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour)-200)
• Protein skimmer for marine puffers ($150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job)-500)
• Heater and thermometer ($50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour)-150)
• Lighting ($50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour)-200)
• Substrate like sand or gravel ($20 (≈1.3 hours of your life traded for $15/hour)-50)
• Décor - rocks, driftwood, plants ($50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour)-200)
• Testing kit for water parameters ($30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour)-60)

With all the necessities, expect approximately $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour)-1000 in startup costs for a proper puffer aquarium.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance Expenses

Caring for a puffer fish extends beyond the initial setup. They have specific care needs that require financial commitment.

Feeding: Diet Needs and Costs

Puffers are primarily carnivorous and need a diet of protein-rich meaty foods.

• Live foods like shrimp, snails and critters ($5-20 monthly)
• Frozen foods - krill, clams, fish ($10 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage)-30 monthly)
• Pellets formulated for puffers ($5-15 monthly)

Feeding a single puffer fish generally costs $15 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour)-50 per month. Feed them 2-3 times daily what they can finish in a few minutes.

Health Care: Regular Check-Ups and Potential Treatments

Routine tank maintenance and check-ups are essential for preventing puffer diseases.

• 25% partial water changes weekly with water conditioner ($10 (≈40 minutes working at a $15/hour wage)-30 monthly)
• Filter media replacement every few weeks ($10-20 monthly)
• Testing water parameters 1-2 times per month ($5-15)
• Quarantining new puffers ($20-50 one-time)
• Medical treatments for ich, fungal issues ($20-60 one-time)
• Vet visits for severe problems ($100+)

General preventative care costs around $30-100 per month. Be prepared for higher veterinary expenses if serious health issues arise.

Legal and Conservation Considerations

Certain puffer fish species have restrictions, regulations or conservation needs that affect overall costs.

Legal Restrictions

Some locations outright ban keeping certain puffer fish that carry deadly toxins, like the infamous fahaka puffer.

Owning venomous species may require permits and licensing that add yearly fees of around $50-100.

The Role of Conservation in Puffer Fish Keeping

Many puffers are overfished in the wild for the aquarium trade. Be sure to ask for captive-bred specimens, which are pricier ($75-200) but help conserve wild stocks.

Choose tank-raised puffers from reputable breeders whenever possible. Never release puffers into non-native waters.

Final Words

When it comes to puffer fish ownership, the monetary commitment goes far beyond the sticker price. Between an appropriate aquarium, equipment, frequent feedings and medical care, puffers easily cost $1000-5000+ in startup costs and $100-300 monthly for their needs.

For these fascinating but demanding fish, being prepared to invest in their proper long-term care is the key to success. With the right tank conditions, diet and maintenance regimen, puffer fish can thrive for years under dedicated owners.

Do plenty of research before taking the plunge into puffer fish keeping to make sure you can provide everything these special fish require.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy a puffer fish as a pet?

Yes, puffer fish are available from specialty aquarium stores and online retailers. Most species are legal to purchase if you can provide the proper housing. Certain puffers with deadly venom may be restricted in some regions, so check your local laws before acquiring one. Always buy captive-bred puffers, not wild-caught.

Is it safe to pet a pufferfish?

No, you should never touch or pet a pufferfish. When threatened, most puffers will inflate with water or air as a defense mechanism. Their spines become erect and rigid, making the puffer's body very sharp and dangerous.

Puffers do not perceive petting as affectionate - they see it as provocation. Avoid touching puffers to prevent stressing them or harming yourself on their spines.

Are puffers good pets?

Puffer fish can make interesting aquarium pets, but they are not suitable for beginners. Puffers have specialized care requirements, like large tanks, frequent feedings, clean water, and tankmates that won't nip their fins.

They tend to be aggressive toward other fish. Responsible puffer ownership requires experience, commitment and a sufficient budget to meet their needs. Make sure you research specific puffer species fully before deciding to purchase one as a pet.