Congo Puffer (Tetraodon miurus) Care Guide
Tetraodon miurus is a small freshwater Congo puffer that buries in sand to ambush prey, with colour ranging from black to bright red.
Overview
Tetraodon miurus, the Congo Puffer, is a small freshwater pufferfish reaching about 15 cm. It spends most of its time buried in sand or other substrate, ambushing passing prey, and shows many colour variations from black through sandy to bright red, influenced by the surrounding substrate. Like other puffers it can inflate when stressed and carries a potent toxin.
Taxonomy
- Family: Tetraodontidae
- Genus: Tetraodon
- Scientific name: Tetraodon miurus
Habitat
It is found in areas of the Congo River in Africa, including rapids, in freshwater environments within the Congo River basin.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L (about 40 gal); base at least 60 cm long
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Substrate: soft sand at least 5 cm deep for burrowing
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
It is primarily a piscivore feeding mostly on smaller fish and possibly small amphibians. In captivity a suitable diet combines thiaminase-free thawed freshwater fish with earthworms and other invertebrates.
Compatibility
An aggressive, bottom-dwelling ambush predator best kept strictly alone in a species tank. It is not suitable with tankmates.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, with wild populations remaining healthy in suitable habitats.