Colomesus asellus, the Amazon puffer, asell puffer, South American freshwater puffer or Peruvian puffer. is a species of pufferfish confined to the Amazon, Essequibo and Orinoco basins in tropical South America. It is a popular aquarium species.
The coloration of this fish is green above, white below, and patterned with black transverse bands across the dorsal surface. Compared with Colomesus psittacus, the black bands on the back are much thicker, and it also has a distinctive black band that rings the base of the caudal fin. This species grows to a length of 12.8 centimetres (5.0 in) SL. It is known to contain the toxin saxitoxin.
The coloration of this fish is green above, white below, and patterned with black transverse bands across the dorsal surface. Compared with Colomesus psittacus, the black bands on the back are much thicker, and it also has a distinctive black band that rings the base of the caudal fin. This species grows to a length of 12.8 centimetres (5.0 in) SL. It is known to contain the toxin saxitoxin.
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| Amazon pufferfish |
Fahaka pufferfish
The Fahaka pufferfish, also known as the Nile puffer, Globe fish, Lineatus puffer (Tetraodon lineatus), is a tropical freshwater pufferfish found in the Nile river and other river basins of Africa.
Fahaka pufferfish grow to around 43 cm (17-18"). Like all puffers they have the ability to inflate when threatened and carry the toxin Tetrodotoxin. Fahaka pufferfish, like other molluscivores, feed mainly on benthic organisms which may include freshwater mussels and snails. They are typically found in large rivers, open water, weed beds and vegetated fringes in water ranging from 24°C - 26°C.
Fahaka pufferfish grow to around 43 cm (17-18"). Like all puffers they have the ability to inflate when threatened and carry the toxin Tetrodotoxin. Fahaka pufferfish, like other molluscivores, feed mainly on benthic organisms which may include freshwater mussels and snails. They are typically found in large rivers, open water, weed beds and vegetated fringes in water ranging from 24°C - 26°C.
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| Fahaka pufferfish |
Figure 8 pufferfish
Tetraodon biocellatus, commonly the figure 8 puffer or eyespot puffer, is a pufferfish found in freshwater in Southeast Asia. It is known from the lower reaches of the Mekong (Cambodia), the Peninsular Malaysia as well as Borneo (Sarawak, Kalimantan).
Figure 8 puffers grow to about 8 cm (3.1 in) long. They are colourful fish, with greenish yellow patterns on their backs. These patterns vary greatly from fish to fish, but the markings either side of the caudal fin resemble the number eight, or eye-spots (earning the species another common name as 'Eye-spot puffer'). Figure 8 puffers are relatively peaceful among Tetraodontidae, and have been kept successfully with other fish such as bumblebee gobies and mollies, but as with all pufferfish there is a risk that tankmates will not be tolerated.
Like all members of the Tetraodon family, the figure 8 puffer is capable of inflating itself with water or air when stressed or otherwise frightened.
Figure 8 puffers grow to about 8 cm (3.1 in) long. They are colourful fish, with greenish yellow patterns on their backs. These patterns vary greatly from fish to fish, but the markings either side of the caudal fin resemble the number eight, or eye-spots (earning the species another common name as 'Eye-spot puffer'). Figure 8 puffers are relatively peaceful among Tetraodontidae, and have been kept successfully with other fish such as bumblebee gobies and mollies, but as with all pufferfish there is a risk that tankmates will not be tolerated.
Like all members of the Tetraodon family, the figure 8 puffer is capable of inflating itself with water or air when stressed or otherwise frightened.
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| Figure 8 pufferfish |
Green spotted pufferfish
Tetraodon nigroviridis is one of the pufferfish known as the green spotted puffer. It is found across South and Southeast Asia in coastal freshwater and brackish water habitats. T. nigroviridis reaches a typical maximum length of about 15 cm (5.9 in), with reports of up to 17 cm. In February 2009, it was successfully bred in captivity at University of Florida using a new variation of the ovarian lavage technique.
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| Green spotted pufferfish |
Giant freshwater pufferfish
The Mbu puffer, giant puffer, or giant freshwater puffer (Tetraodon mbu) is a carnivorous freshwater pufferfish originating from the middle and lower sections of the Congo river in Africa, as well as the east coast of Lake Tanganyika near the Malagarasi River mouth.
The species is commonly referred to as the giant freshwater pufferfish due to its massive size, growing to a length of 67 cm (26 inches). As such, these fish are difficult to adequately house in captivity since they require a very large aquarium and appropriately scaled water filtration.
Like all of its relatives, the Mbu puffer is capable of inflating itself with water or air when stressed or otherwise frightened. It feeds on smaller fish, mollusks and crustaceans. Species kept in captivity require a varied diet consisting of crunchy foods to help ensure good health and to prevent tooth overgrowth.
The species is commonly referred to as the giant freshwater pufferfish due to its massive size, growing to a length of 67 cm (26 inches). As such, these fish are difficult to adequately house in captivity since they require a very large aquarium and appropriately scaled water filtration.
Like all of its relatives, the Mbu puffer is capable of inflating itself with water or air when stressed or otherwise frightened. It feeds on smaller fish, mollusks and crustaceans. Species kept in captivity require a varied diet consisting of crunchy foods to help ensure good health and to prevent tooth overgrowth.
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| Giant freshwater pufferfish |
Dwarf pufferfish
The dwarf pufferfish (Carinotetraodon travancoricus), also known as the Malabar pufferfish (leading to easy confusion with the related C. imitator), pea pufferfish or pygmy pufferfish, is a small, freshwater pufferfish endemic to the River Pamba in Kerala, Southwest India. The maximum documented size is 30 mm (less than 1.25 inches), making it one of the smallest pufferfish in the world. Although closely related to marine pufferfish, they are not found in brackish or salt water, and reports to the contrary may be based on misidentification.
Sexing of juveniles is impossible because these fish "choose" their sex as they mature. Once one puffer begins becoming a male he excretes hormones to prevent the other puffers from becoming male. However, if two fish start to mature into males at the same time one will become the dominant male.There is also a dorsal crest, but it lacks special colouration when not erected. Both crests are displayed during courtship while the male circles the female. They also will have more yellow colouration.
Both sexes are primarily yellow with dark green to black iridescent patches on the flanks and dorsal surface, but as with other members of the genus, sexual dimorphism is apparent in mature fish, with males being more brightly coloured than females. Males can also have a dark stripe down the center of their pale belly and iridescent "eye wrinkle" patterns that females do not have. Females are more rounded, tend to be a bit larger than males, and may or may not show more smallish spots between their larger dark markings.
Sexing of juveniles is impossible because these fish "choose" their sex as they mature. Once one puffer begins becoming a male he excretes hormones to prevent the other puffers from becoming male. However, if two fish start to mature into males at the same time one will become the dominant male.There is also a dorsal crest, but it lacks special colouration when not erected. Both crests are displayed during courtship while the male circles the female. They also will have more yellow colouration.
Both sexes are primarily yellow with dark green to black iridescent patches on the flanks and dorsal surface, but as with other members of the genus, sexual dimorphism is apparent in mature fish, with males being more brightly coloured than females. Males can also have a dark stripe down the center of their pale belly and iridescent "eye wrinkle" patterns that females do not have. Females are more rounded, tend to be a bit larger than males, and may or may not show more smallish spots between their larger dark markings.
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| Dwarf pufferfish |
Congo pufferfish
The Congo puffer or potato puffer (Tetraodon miurus) is a freshwater pufferfish found in areas of the Congo River in Africa, including rapids.
Congo puffers grow to about 15 cm long. In the wild, they feed mainly on fish, but in captivity they eat different foods, such as bloodworms and river shrimp. They are inactive fish, spending most of their time buried in sand or other substrate, with the ability to adapt their colouration to hide from potential prey. However, many colour variations are seen within the species, ranging from black to sandy to bright red. It will not change to blue, though, but if in a dark substrate will generally become darker in color.
Like all members of the Tetraodon genus, the Congo puffer is capable of inflating itself with water or air when stressed or otherwise frightened.
In captivity, Congo puffers require large tanks with the temperature between 23 and 26°C. They are sensitive to both nitrites and nitrates, so overfiltration is required. The water pH should be around 7. The lifespan and breeding habits of Congo puffers are unknown.
Congo puffers grow to about 15 cm long. In the wild, they feed mainly on fish, but in captivity they eat different foods, such as bloodworms and river shrimp. They are inactive fish, spending most of their time buried in sand or other substrate, with the ability to adapt their colouration to hide from potential prey. However, many colour variations are seen within the species, ranging from black to sandy to bright red. It will not change to blue, though, but if in a dark substrate will generally become darker in color.
Like all members of the Tetraodon genus, the Congo puffer is capable of inflating itself with water or air when stressed or otherwise frightened.
In captivity, Congo puffers require large tanks with the temperature between 23 and 26°C. They are sensitive to both nitrites and nitrates, so overfiltration is required. The water pH should be around 7. The lifespan and breeding habits of Congo puffers are unknown.
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| Congo pufferfish |