At a Glance
- Adult size: 5-6 inches (12-15 cm)
- Minimum tank size: 55 gallons (200 l)
- Water temperature: 74°F – 80°F (23-26°C)
- pH: 6.5 – 7.8
- Diet: carnivore
- Behavior: aggressive
- Habitat: freshwater
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Origins
As the name suggests, Congo puffers (Tetraodon miurus) are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, located in Central Africa.
The waters they inhabit have a moderate to strong current and high oxygen levels. This species is native to freshwater rivers and basins, so no marine salt is needed to keep them.
Common in the wild but rare in the aquarium trade, you may have trouble finding this fish in the store.
Appearance
This specific puffer is not known for its good looks. Their malformed, potato-like shape and colors have earned them the nickname potato pufferfish.
Their look serves a purpose, however. Congo puffers are sit-and-wait predators, and their natural camouflage tricks observant prey.
After partially burying themselves in the sand, the Congo puffer looks much like a rock or piece of wood covered in algae.
The eyes are located on the top of the head. This allows the puffer to see its prey even when buried.
Like the green spotted puffer, the Congo puffer typically maxes out at a size of 6 inches (15 cm).
Behavior and Tankmates
Another aggressive puffer, Congo puffers do best when they are kept solitary.
Being an ambush predator and a voracious one at that, any movement from other fish or invertebrates can lead this puffer to strike.
Did you know that although pufferfish inflate themselves from time to time to defend, you should never try to invoke inflation yourselves?
Puffing up is a tiring and risky behavior, and it is only done to protect themselves. Each time a puffer expands, it stretches out its stomach and skin.
Sometimes this process can go wrong and be fatal. Know your stuff, don’t make them puff!
Tank Setup
A 55-gallon (200 l) tank is a good starting size for the 6-inch (15 cm) puffer.
But bigger is always better! The more room your fish has, the more able it is to perform its natural, interesting behaviors.
An important component of a quality Congo puffer tank is a very soft sand substrate.
Since they burrow into the substrate so often, it is paramount that the substrate is soft enough for the fish to easily bury and unbury itself.
Sandy substrate also ensures that the puffer won’t get injured by jagged rocks and gravel. Pufferfish do not have scales, and therefore they are more susceptible to injury.
A strong filter or powerhead is needed to produce a hearty current and plenty of oxygenation.
They are strictly freshwater and prefer a temperature range of 74°F to 80°F (23-26°C). A neutral pH between 6.5 and 7.8 is just right for them.
Again, with all puffers, this species enjoys plenty of covers. Decorating your tank to the point where your fish’s line of sight is broken is beneficial to the animal’s health.
Give your puffer ample opportunities for establishing territories, even when it is kept by itself. Smooth rocks can be also added to the aquarium.
Food and Diet
This puffer should be fed various crustaceans, inverts, and small fish. Live is best, as the Congo’s natural behavior is to pounce upon live prey.
Hard-shelled organisms should be fed regularly to avoid overgrown teeth, which if left untreated can leave the fish unable to eat. Snails, shrimp, mollusks, and crabs all satisfy this need.
Frozen foods also provide essential nourishment. Here is a complete list of all of the frozen choices that would make a healthy puffer:
- Bloodworms
- White Worms
- Daphnia
- Brine Shrimp
- Mysis Shrimp
- Scallops
- Mussels
- Prawns
- Crabs
- Krill.
Sexing and Breeding
There is no known information regarding sexing a Congo puffer, nor has anyone successfully bred them in captivity.
In the wild, they have been observed to lay their eggs on the surface of flat rocks or directly onto the substrate.
