Congo Goliath Puffer
Tetraodon miurus
Also known as: Hairy Puffer, Red-eyed Puffer
A buried ambush predator from the Congo that bites first and asks questions never.
About
Found lurking in the fast-moving waters and sandy river beds of the Congo Basin, Tetraodon miurus is a chunky, cryptic puffer with a habit of burying itself up to the eyes and waiting for something edible to wander past. Its range runs from the churning Kinsuka rapids at the mouth of Pool Malebo upstream through the Lualaba River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the aquarium it behaves exactly the same way. Spend a few minutes watching its tank and you might see nothing but a pair of eyes poking out of the substrate. Then a feeder shrimp swims past and things happen very fast. The aggression in this species is no joke. It cannot be trusted with tankmates and is genuinely best kept alone. Despite that, and perhaps because of it, keepers tend to develop real affection for these fish. There is something oddly charming about an animal this committed to its ambush lifestyle. The care label of beginner is a bit generous; the husbandry is not complicated, but the dedicated single-species setup and carnivore diet require a keeper who has done their homework. Handle plants or decorations in the tank with care. Those beak-like teeth are not just for snails.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Congo Goliath Puffer
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Congo Goliath Puffer get?
- The Congo Goliath Puffer reaches about 3.5–6" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Congo Goliath Puffer need?
- A minimum of 35 gallons is recommended for the Congo Goliath Puffer.
- What water parameters does the Congo Goliath Puffer need?
- The Congo Goliath Puffer does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 6–8, hardness around 4–18 dGH.
- Is the Congo Goliath Puffer aggressive?
- The Congo Goliath Puffer is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
- What does the Congo Goliath Puffer eat?
- The Congo Goliath Puffer is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Congo Goliath Puffer live?
- With good care, the Congo Goliath Puffer typically lives 3-10 years.