Dwarf Puffer

About

A little-known dwarf puffer from central Africa, Tetraodon duboisi originates from Pool Malebo, the vast lake-like expansion of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its range is remarkably restricted. As far as anyone can tell, it simply isn't found anywhere else in the wild, which makes it a genuinely uncommon fish in the hobby. Like other members of the puffer family, it has that instantly recognizable rounded, torpedo-shaped body and the curious, almost alert expression that makes puffers so endearing to their keepers. It can inflate itself when threatened, though you should never deliberately provoke this response. As a carnivore, it needs a meaty diet of snails, worms, and other invertebrates, and like all puffers it has beak-like teeth that require hard-shelled prey to keep from overgrowing. Behaviorally, expect the typical puffer attitude. Intelligent, inquisitive, and more than a little nippy toward tankmates. Many keepers find it works best in a species-only setup or with very carefully chosen companions. It is not a beginner fish, but for someone with a bit of puffer experience, this obscure Congo native is a genuinely interesting long-term project that can live close to a decade with proper care.