Also known as the South American puffer, the Amazon puffer is a small, colorful fish typically occurring in South America. Unlike most other freshwater puffers, the Amazon puffer does neither maintain a territory nor displays aggression toward other fishes.
  • Size

    Up to about 5 inches (13 cm)
  • Diet

    Small invertebrates
  • Range

    South America
  • Habitat

    Tropical fresh and brackish waters

Physical Characteristics

  • Coloration is yellow-green with black stripes along its body and a white ventral region.
  • A distinct black spot appears at the base of its caudal fin.
  • May reach about 5 inches (13 cm) in total length.

Animal Fact

Unlike most other freshwater puffers, the Amazon puffer does neither maintain a territory nor displays aggression toward other fishes.

Diet / Feeding

  • Diet consists of invertebrates – namely gastropods, insect larvae and crustaceans.

Range / Habitat

  • Occurs in South America’s Amazon River basin, Orinoco River basin and Essequibo River basin, as well as Araguaia and Guapore Rivers.
  • Found in tropical fresh and brackish water, typically in coastal and freshwater streams. Prefers freshwater.

Reproduction & Growth

  • Females scatter eggs.
  • Species does not exhibit parental care.

Conservation Status

  • “Not Evaluated” on the IUCN Red List.

Additional Information

  • Also known as the “South American puffer.”

Sources

  • http://www.fishbase.ord/summary/Colomesus-asellus.html
  • J.C. Freitas (2006). “Eating habits: are we safe to consume freshwater puffer fish from the Amazon region in Brazil?” (PDF). Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 12: 153–155. doi:10.1590/s1678-91992006000200001.
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