Fin's Fish Guide
The Congo puffer (Tetraodon miurus) is a freshwater fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows up to 15 cm.
Description
The Congo puffer (Tetraodon miurus) is a freshwater pufferfish of the family Tetraodontidae from the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species has a stocky body with the eyes high on the head and an upward-pointing mouth, and reaches about 15 cm. The colour is highly variable, from red and orange to brown, providing camouflage. It is an ambush predator that buries itself in sand or gravel with only the eyes visible and lunges suddenly at passing prey. Like other puffers it can inflate and its tissue contains the potent poison tetrodotoxin. In the aquarium it is solitary and aggressive toward conspecifics.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Congo puffer?
The Congo puffer has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a marbled pattern. Buries itself in the sand and lunges out at prey; variably coloured and contains tetrodotoxin.
Where does the Congo puffer live?
The Congo puffer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Large rivers of the Congo basin in Central Africa.
How big does the Congo puffer get?
The Congo puffer grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.
Is the Congo puffer dangerous to humans?
No, the Congo puffer is harmless to humans. The tissue contains tetrodotoxin, a potent and potentially deadly poison; do not eat this fish. In case of ingestion and symptoms such as tingling around the mouth, paralysis or breathing difficulty, call emergency services immediately.
Is the Congo puffer edible?
The Congo puffer is not usually eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Tetraodon
More from the family Tetraodontidae
Want the complete picture on the Congo puffer?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Congo puffer is one of 12,519 species in the app.