TankBud

Congo pufferfish

Tetraodon miurus

Also known as Potato pufferfish

FreshwaterFish

Congo pufferfish (Tetraodon miurus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
26 gal
100 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Own kind
One per tank
Tankmates
Species tank only
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Tetraodontidae
Origin
Congo Basin

Overview

The Congo pufferfish is an aggressive, solitary ambush predator for a species tank of its own. It is a fish for experienced keepers.

Did you know

The Congo pufferfish shuffles down into the sand until only its upturned eyes and mouth show. From there it can launch upward and grab fish as large as itself. Its powerful beak tears into prey that looks far too big to swallow.

Caring for the Congo pufferfish

Give a single Congo pufferfish a tank of at least 26 gal (100 L) with plenty of open floor. It is a sit-and-wait fish rather than a swimmer. Lay a deep bed of soft sand so it can bury itself, the way it does in the wild. Add some rocks or wood for structure.

Keep the water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Puffers are sensitive to water quality, so filter the tank well and keep the water clean.

Feed meaty foods such as mussel, prawn, earthworms and the occasional snail. Vary the diet to keep it interested.

The Congo pufferfish is aggressive and must be kept alone. It will attack anything else in the tank, including other puffers. Breeding in aquariums is undocumented.

Good to know

The Congo pufferfish, sometimes called the potato puffer, is a member of the family Tetraodontidae. Its eyes sit high on top of the head, and its mouth points upward. Both are adaptations for lying buried and striking prey from below. Like all true puffers, it has four fused, beak-like teeth and can inflate itself when threatened. Its color varies widely, from bright red or orange to drab brown or gray, to match the riverbed. Virtually all specimens in the trade are wild caught.

In the wild

The Congo pufferfish lives in the Congo River basin of central Africa, from slower sandy stretches to the edges of rapids. It lies buried in the substrate there, waiting to ambush fish. It is a pure freshwater species.

Common questions

What size tank does a Congo pufferfish need?

A Congo pufferfish needs at least 26 gal (100 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Congo pufferfish need?

A Congo pufferfish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Congo pufferfish eat?

A Congo pufferfish eats meaty foods, such as mussel, prawn and earthworms, with a snail now and then. A varied diet keeps it interested.

How big does a Congo pufferfish get?

An adult Congo pufferfish reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

Related species