Amazon Puffer is a fresh water fish scientifically known by the name of Colomesus asellus. The some more common names of this fish are South American puffer, asellus puffer, Peruvian puffer and Brazilian puffer. This is a popluar among new fish keepers and experienced aquarist. This fish orginate in Tropical South America. Moreover, this fish belongs to the family of Tetraodotidae. The interesting fact is this fish consider true puffer fish and famous among aquarium fish.
Moreover, this fish is an fascinating fish in aquarium because of its shape and intelligent personalty.
| Scientific name | Colomesus asellus |
| Origin | Tropical South America |
| Tank parameters | 6.0-8.0 |
| Temperature | 72-82F |
| Compatibility | Community fish |
Appearance of Amazon Puffer
Amazon Puffer are generally known for their active nature, hardiness and beginner friendly, for new fish keepers. This fish has golden yellow color with splotchy, dark bands. Moreover, they have globe like shape, with white under belly and have black dots near tail.
This Colomesus asellus is from the family of Tetraodotidae. It is considered an brilliant and good choice for beginners, because of its vibrant color and dark bands. However, when it comes to its size asellus puffer is 3 inches (7.6 cm) long in length. This is the only community puffer that grow to this size. It is reported that South American puffer lives around 8-10 years and sometimes longer.
Characteristics of Amazon Puffer
Amazon Puffer is known for its three main characteristics:
- Shape: the fish have globe like shape and have bubblebee like pattern.
- Behaviour: these are the energetic and energentic fish good for community tanks.
- Not aggressive: comparing other puffer fish this is less aggressive and peaceful and have territorial behaviour.
Tank Parameters of Amazon Puffer
Amazon Puffer are ideal beginner fish, they are priced for their peaceful and beginner friendly characteristics. Moreover, they can live in wide range of water parameters. They prefer to live in soft, slightly acidic water, because they are native of Amazon Basin. However, the recommended tank size is 30 gallon, but 55 gallon is more better. Add lots of aquarium plants, and hard scape to give them interesting area for exploring.
Temperature or pH level
Amazon Puffer are originate from Tropical South America, they prefer to live in slightly acidic water. The best consider pH level for water is 6.0-8.0, the soft to hard water, with the parameters of 72-82 degree fahrenhiets. Moreover, for freshwater species, filter water daily to maintain the water quality. To keep your fish safe and healthy,the tank should be clean, well maintained, with soft to hard water.
Feeding
Amazon Puffer have four growing teeths like other puffers fish. Which is in front of their mouth so to chomp the hard shells of crustaceans. Moreover, to stop their teeth from over growing feed them with the crunchy food like freeze dried krills, bladder snails etc. Some aquarist prefer to give them repashy gel food with crunchy oyster shells, and rocks dipped in repashy. It requires some training but their grind by crunchy food.
Community Fish
Amazon puffer is a community fish, as compared to other puffer fish. They still have attitude and become aggressive sometime and bite long finned fish. Keep them with other similar size, peaceful fish hat are energetic like them which are rasbora, dwarf cichlid, mollies etc.
Breeding
Though, experienced still did not find any profitable way for breeding amazon puffer in captivity. This fish which is available on stores comes from wild. Most of them have parasitic infection. Before buying make sure amazon puffer don’t cover with white spots. After purchasing this specie, keep them in a separate tank to make sure that they are healthy and have no infection.
At last…
Amazon puffer (Colomesus asellus), native of Tropical South America. It is an ideal freshwater aquarium fish from the family of Tetraodotidae. This is an golden yellow color fish with dark band. They also have four growing teeths, which needs to be grind to stop them from growing larger. Its peaceful nature and easy to care makes them the good choice and rewarding for new and experienced aquarist. With the wide range of tank parameters, maintained environment they can thrive in home aquarium. It is a peaceful, active and hardy nature fish brings charm and beauty in home tanks. Moreover, with good care, tank conditions,and proper diet, they can live 8-10 years or more.