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Tetraodon mbu - Giant PufferMagyarul / Hungarian
Tetraodon mbu - Giant PufferTetraodon mbu - Giant PufferTetraodon mbu - Giant PufferTetraodon mbu - Giant Puffer
  • Scientific name: Tetraodon mbu
  • Common name: Giant Puffer, Giant Green Puffer, Mbu Puffer
  • Group: Other fishes
  • Habitat: West Africa; In the middle and lower Congo River and Lake Tanganyika.
  • Size: 65 cm
  • Biotope: Inhabits large rivers and lakes.
  • Social behavior: The animals are extremely quarrelsome and waspish, best kept individually. Should not be kept with other Puffer species.
  • Diet: Carnivorous; all types of live foods; snails and shellfish are especially relished, and help to maintain its sharp teeth.
  • Breeding: The species has not been bred in captivity, and reproduction is only possible in very large aquaria.
  • Tank: Minimum 800 litres (for young fish)
  • Population: 1 fish for 1900 litres
  • Decoration: Sandy substrate with smooth rocks and driftwood, and leave enough open space for swimming. Regular water changes are advised at least 25% a week to keep the water quality in good shape.
  • Temperature: 23-26 °C
  • pH: 6.5-7.5
  • Hardness: 10-15 NK°
  • Lifespan: 8-12 years

Description: The species only lives in freshwater. The body of the fish is conical shaped, and it has no scales. The Giant Puffer has tough skin, with tiny spines, expect the snout and the beginning of the tail fin. It has green and yellow patters on the back, and yellow or white belly. Dark patches on under belly is a sign of ill or stress. It can also change colour, depending on its mood, and also able to change patter to camouflage. Mbu Puffer has striped tail,usually kept folded, but displays when swimming vigorously. The eyes are orange.

Pufferfish are extremely sensitive to nitrites and ammonia and should only be introduced into a fully cycled aquarium. Due to the mbu's messy eating habits and enormous size, overfiltration is recommended. They grow very large, so 2000 litres, would be required to house an adult specimen. During the night the Giant Puffer likes to rest on the bottom or in caves. Like all of its relatives, the Mbu puffer is capable of inflating itself with water or air when stressed or otherwise frightened.

There are no external sexual differences.