Tetraodon Suvattii

Datasheet

General Description

Puffer fish, known for their ability to inflate their elastic stomachs, are distinctive for their unique adaptations. The Tetraodon Suvattii, commonly referred to as the Arrowhead Puffer, showcases charming characteristics such as blinking eyes and beak-like mouthparts used for crushing shelled invertebrates. This species contains the deadly neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, posing a threat to predators and humans if ingested in sufficient quantities.

Aquarium Setup

To set up an aquarium for the Tetraodon Suvattii, a freshwater environment without the addition of salt is recommended. A deep substrate bed of 2-3 inches of sand mimics its natural habitat. Smooth rocks, driftwood, and plants can provide cover and enrichment. Regular partial water changes are essential to maintain suitable water conditions for this sensitive species.

Behaviour

The Arrowhead Puffer is a voracious predator that is best housed alone due to its aggressive nature towards tankmates, including conspecifics. In a large tank with hiding spots and visual barriers, multiple specimens can coexist, sometimes alongside armored Loricariid catfish. It displays ambush predator behavior, spending time buried in substrate and changing color to match its surroundings.

Feeding and Diet

As an ambush predator, the T. Suvattii requires a meaty diet consisting of prawns, earthworms, lancefish, and mussels. While some individuals may prefer live food initially, most can be transitioned to dead alternatives. Juveniles should be fed every other day, while adults only require feeding once or twice a week due to their inactive nature.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

Limited information is available on the reproduction of T. Suvattii in aquarium settings, but they are known to be substrate spawners. Courtship involves inflation displays, and eggs are deposited in a pit or on a flat rock. Females guard the eggs until hatching, after which the fry consume brine shrimp nauplii.

Habitat and Distribution

Found in Thailand and Laos, the Arrowhead Puffer inhabits rocky or muddy substrates in primary river channels. It exhibits specific preferences for habitat conditions, necessitating appropriate tank setups to mirror its natural environment.