Mekong puffer - Tetraodon suvattii

Scientific name: Tetraodon suvattii

Common name: Mekong puffer

Family: Tetraodontidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 10 - 12 cm (3.94 - 4.72 inch)

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Recommended pH range: 6 - 7.5

Recommended water hardness: 7 - 20°N (125 - 357.14ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 23 - 27 °C (73.4 - 80.6°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South Asia

Temperament to its own species: aggressive/territorial

Temperament toward other fish species: aggressive to smaller

Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels

Food and Feeding

The Mekong Puffer (Tetraodon suvattii) is a carnivorous predator that requires a diet rich in protein. It should be fed every other day to prevent overfeeding and maintain proper digestion. These fish readily accept:

Live or frozen feeder fish
Ghost shrimp and crayfish
Chopped mussels, cockles, and prawns

To ensure optimal nutrition, offer a varied diet and avoid over-reliance on feeder fish, which may lack essential nutrients. Hard-shelled foods, such as mussels or snails, help wear down their constantly growing teeth and prevent overgrowth issues common in pufferfish.

Origin and Natural Habitat

The Mekong Puffer is endemic to Southeast Asia, specifically the Mekong River Basin in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. It inhabits slow-moving rivers, floodplains, and stagnant pools with muddy or sandy bottoms, where it buries itself to ambush prey. These environments have soft, acidic to neutral water with moderate hardness and plenty of hiding spots.

To replicate its natural habitat, the aquarium should include:

Fine sand or soft substrate for burrowing
Flat rocks or driftwood to provide shelter
Dim lighting to mimic murky water conditions

Sexing

There are no visible external differences between male and female Mekong Puffers, making sexing difficult without internal examination.

Breeding

Mekong Puffers are substrate spawners, meaning they lay their eggs on flat surfaces such as rocks or slate. To encourage breeding:

Provide flat stones as spawning sites.
Ensure stable water conditions with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.5).
Observe courtship, where the pair circles each other before spawning.
After fertilization, the male guards the eggs until they hatch in 6-7 days.

Newly hatched fry require nutrient-rich foods, such as:

Infusoria (for the first few days)
Commercial fry food enriched with vitamins
Baby brine shrimp once they grow large enough

Due to their aggressive nature, breeding in captivity is rare, and successful raising of fry requires careful management.

Lifespan

With proper care, Tetraodon suvattii can live up to 10 years, making it a long-term commitment for dedicated aquarists.

Tank Setup and Compatibility

Mekong Puffers are highly aggressive and territorial, making them unsuitable for community tanks. It is best to keep them:

Alone in a species-only tank
In a well-filtered aquarium (due to their high waste production)
With strong water flow and regular maintenance

Tank size recommendations:

Minimum tank size: 75 liters (20 gallons) for a single fish
Ideal tank size: 115 liters (30 gallons) to accommodate their territorial behavior

They produce large amounts of waste, so a powerful filtration system and weekly 50% water changes are necessary to maintain water quality.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 23 - 27°C (73.4 - 80.6°F)
pH Range: 6.0 - 7.5
Water Hardness: 7 - 20°dGH (125 - 357 ppm)
Filtration: High-quality canister or sponge filter to handle their waste production

Short Description

The Mekong Puffer is a solitary, ambush predator that thrives in a species-only aquarium due to its aggressive nature. It spends much of its time buried in the substrate, waiting to attack prey. While fascinating to observe, this species is not recommended for beginners due to its: