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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.
