Valentini Puffer Gender Question

[saltyHG]

Picked up a Valentini Puffer from a local reefer who was rehoming it. It has settled in well so far. I read an article that said that male Valentini puffers have marked colorful lines coming from the backs of their eyes and a pigmented stripe on their underbelly.

The one I have had faint eye markings and a faint belly line. Can anyone with Valentini experience give an opinion on the gender of this fish?

 

[Baldyreef]

looks to be a female to me as it lacks the black on the belly and the pattern around the eye is smaller/more faint than a male

 

[DmitryB]

I love those fish!! I wish I could have one with corals.

 

[saltyHG]

I love those fish!! I wish I could have one with corals.

How often do they eat corals? Ive only had this one for 5 days. The person that gave this fish to me said that it did not eat inverts or coral and so far she has left my corals alone (but I only have soft corals/zoas/mushrooms really) but I guess time will tell.

 

[DmitryB]

I love those fish!! I wish I could have one with corals.

How often do they eat corals? Ive only had this one for 5 days. The person that gave this fish to me said that it did not eat inverts or coral and so far she has left my corals alone (but I only have soft corals/zoas/mushrooms really) but I guess time will tell.

No way to really tell, it's always a risk. Each individual will be different too. Maybe some day I'll risk it in my 40 gallon.