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.
Where does the Amazon puffer live?
The Amazon puffer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.
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.
Is the Amazon puffer edible?
The Amazon puffer is not usually eaten.
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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
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