Congo pufferfish

Tetraodon miurus

FreshwaterFish

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
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Very rare
Origin: Congo Basin
Family: Tetraodontidae

Overview

The Congo puffer is an aggressive, solitary ambush predator that buries itself in sand with only its eyes and mouth showing, then darts up to seize passing prey, sometimes larger than itself. It must be kept alone, as it will attack anything else in the tank, including other puffers. Give it a deep bed of soft sand so it can bury the way it does in the wild. Feed meaty foods such as mussel, prawn, earthworms, and the occasional snail, and vary the diet to keep it interested. It is a sit-and-wait fish rather than a swimmer, so a single specimen fits a tank of around 100 liters or larger with plenty of open floor.

In the wild

The Congo puffer lives in the Congo River basin of central Africa, from slower sandy stretches to the edges of rapids, where it lies buried in the substrate waiting to ambush fish. It is a pure freshwater species that comes in shades of red, orange, brown, and grey to match the riverbed. Recreate its home with a deep, soft sand floor it can sink into, some rocks or wood for structure, and clean, well-filtered water. Keep the temperature from 24 to 28 C and the pH between 6 and 7.5, and take care with water quality since puffers are sensitive to it.

Good to know

The Congo puffer, sometimes called the potato puffer, is a member of the family Tetraodontidae and reaches about 15 cm. Its eyes sit high on top of the head and its mouth points upward, both 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. It also varies widely in color, from bright red or orange to drab brown. Aquarium breeding is undocumented, and virtually all specimens are wild caught.

Did you know

The Congo puffer is an ambush specialist that shuffles down into the sand until only its upturned eyes and mouth remain visible. From that hidden position it can launch upward and grab fish as large as itself, using its powerful beak to tear into prey that would seem far too big to swallow.