Canthigaster valentini — Black Saddled Toby (also known as Valentinni Puffer, Saddle Valentini Puffer)
Family: Tetraodontidae
Origin: Indo-Pacific — from East Africa and the Red Sea to French Polynesia and southern Japan
Size: Up to 11 cm (4.5 inches)
Lifespan: 5–8 years in captivity
Natural Habitat
Environment: Shallow coral reefs, lagoons, and reef flats
Water Conditions: Clear, tropical marine environments with plenty of coral and rock cover
Temperature Range: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Physical Description
Body Shape: Compact, oval-shaped, with no pelvic fins and strong dorsal/anal fins
Coloration:
White body with dark saddle-like patches on the back
Yellow tail, blue speckling, and blue lines on the face
Typical beak-like puffer mouth and expressive eyes
Fins: Small but effective for maneuvering; no spines
Aquarium Care
Tank Size: Minimum 30 gallons (115 litres), larger preferred for adults
Water Parameters:
pH: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Water Flow: Moderate
Substrate: Sand
Décor: Live rock for grazing and shelter; needs visual breaks in territory
Filtration: Stable, high-quality marine filtration
Diet
Type: Omnivorous (with a need to wear down beak-like teeth)
Preferred Foods:
Meaty foods: chopped shrimp, krill, clam, squid
Hard-shelled inverts (snails, clams) to prevent tooth overgrowth
Occasional prepared foods like marine pellets
Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times daily
Behavior & Tank Mates
Temperament:
Generally peaceful, but may nip at long fins or sessile inverts
Not reef-safe — will eat or damage corals and invertebrates
Compatible Tank Mates:
Semi-aggressive fish like wrasses, tangs, or hawkfish
Avoid slow or shy species with flowing fins
Behavior Notes:
Very personable and intelligent; recognizes the aquarist
Can inflate if stressed, though this should be avoided
Breeding
Spawning Method: Egg layer
Breeding Conditions:
Rarely bred in captivity
Wild spawning involves courtship displays and egg scattering
Fry Care:
Extremely difficult to rear; not practical for hobbyists