Fin's Fish Guide
The Amazon puffer (Colomesus asellus) is a freshwater fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows up to 13 cm.
Description
The Amazon puffer is a freshwater puffer (Tetraodontidae) from South America. The species has a round, green-yellow body with dark crossbars over the back and a white belly. When threatened it can inflate itself with water into a ball. It lives mainly in fresh water and coastal streams and tolerates brackish water. With its fused beak-like tooth plates it cracks snails, shellfish and other hard prey. Like many puffers it can contain the toxic tetrodotoxin; do not eat this fish.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Amazon puffer?
The Amazon puffer has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Inflates itself into a ball; crushes snails with incisor plates, can contain tetrodotoxin.
Where does the Amazon puffer live?
The Amazon puffer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America; freshwater and coastal streams.
How big does the Amazon puffer get?
The Amazon puffer grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.
Is the Amazon puffer dangerous to humans?
No, the Amazon puffer is harmless to humans. Do not eat: the internal organs and skin may contain the highly toxic tetrodotoxin, which can be fatal. Do not eat this fish. If ingested with poisoning symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
Is the Amazon puffer edible?
The Amazon puffer is not usually eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Colomesus
More from the family Tetraodontidae
Want the complete picture on the Amazon puffer?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Amazon puffer is one of 12,519 species in the app.