Spotted Congo Puffer L

Tetraodon Schoutedeni L

Synonyms None

Distribution Democratic Republic of the Congo
Maximum size 10cm
Sexual dimorphism unknown
Temperature 22-26 degrees C
Freshwater water parameters. It will acclimatize to a wide range of conditions. pH: 6.5-7.5
Compatibility Specialist Aquarium
Lighting No special requirements

Description

Care
The Spotted Congo Puffer is known from Pool Malebo (formerly Stanley Pool), a lake that widens in the lower reaches of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here it is found in rocky habitats among the fast-flowing, highly oxygenated waters, where it can be seen peering between cracks in the rocks or in the riparian vegetation, ready to inject small fish or crustaceans that outstrip the past. The Spotted Congo Puffer requires a mature, good-sized aquarium with a soft, sandy substrate and plenty of caves and crevices to hide in. Since these fish are abundant eaters and can create a fair amount of waste, decent filtration must be used (an external container is ideal). There should be areas of moderate water movement and a high level of oxygenation, perhaps achieved by a power head with a flow diverter at an angle to the water surface, or by maintaining a slight drop in the water line so that the water returning from the filter will wet the water surface. This is the smallest species of African pufferfish and is highly sought after by oddball enthusiasts, however, imports from this region tend to be quite sporadic, so this is one of the rarest pufferfish in the trade. As such, there are only a few reports of this fish being kept in the home aquarium, and although most suggest that this particular pufferfish is relatively placid towards its own and other species, it would be wise to be cautious and have means of separating mates if necessary. Ensuring plenty of visual barriers in the tank will provide the best opportunity to maintain a group (introduce at the same time and observe very carefully) and any potential mates should be short-haired and fast swimmers. They can all be used in a waterscape for those smoky rocks, woody woods and resistant streams. As with other smoker species, this fish can flounder when scared or twisted. It should never be challenged, and never over water where it can be ejected, which can be fatal. If you move a Spotted Congo Puffer to larger blocks, the fish should be concentrated in a solid container underwater to remove the necessity of the net and lift it away from the water. Spotted Congo Puffers can change color depending on their environment or mood. As a scaleless species, be aware that these fish are very sensitive to medications. Finally, remember that pufferfish can vary in temperament and there may be exceptions to the expected behavior of the species - even a pair that has been deemed "compatible". It's always a good idea to have some sort of tank divider - or even a spare tank - handy if circumstances call for their use. Spotted Congo Puffers are intolerant of poor water quality - as already mentioned above, they make use of a decent filtration system and perform many regular partial water changes.

Feeding
Meat frozen foods such as Mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched vine shrimp, bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, chopped conch and mussels, chopped shrimp, small snails, partially opened cockle-in-shell, etc. should be given. Hard-shell foods MUST be offered on a regular basis to keep the beak in check. Some aquarists breed small aquatic snails in a separate nano tank where they breed quickly and can be easily collected for feeding times.

Reproduced from
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium. These fish have been observed breeding in the wild, with the eggs deposited on the leaves and defending the male.