Tetraodon suvattii
Encyclopedia
The Tetraodon suvattii, or Arrowhead puffer belongs to the family Tetraodontidae and is an average sized fish and can grow up to 6 inches in length. It is also known as a Pignose Puffer or a Mekong Puffer. It is commonly found in Mekong
basin in southeastern Asia, and is exclusively a fresh water fish. Of all the puffers in the Tetraodon genus
, the T. Suvatti is among the most aggressive. When confronted by an intruder the T. Suvatti will first react by staring intently, if the fish refuses to back down the T. Suvatti will then lower its head and charge the other fish. The Suvatti will then open its mouth and slowly move toward the other fish, if the other fish is still not threatened enough by this, the Suvatti will turn and position its broadside toward the invading fish and inflate its body, it then will swim in front of the fish in a zigzag pattern, it will lower i's head and open its mouth to show its teeth, if the warning of inflation does not scare away the invading fish, the Suvatti will attack the fish and inflict serious wounds or it will kill the fish. Just Like their saltwater cousins, the T. Suvatti contains tetrodotoxin
within their skin, and organs. Normally when T. Suvatti's are kept as pets they must be kept in an aquarium
by themselves as they have a tendency to always be aggressive and hungry, unless they are well-fed, and thus they will nibble on the other fish's tails, and occasionally will make a meal of the other fish. Because of the Suvatti's eating habits, it should normally only be fed every other day. During a feeding the Suvatti will shoot up to the surface and guzzle down large amounts of food causing it to double in size. The Arrowhead Puffer can be purchased at most pet stores that carry exotic fishes for around 20-30 USD. Basic care would include the feeding of live fish, gut-loaded ghost shrimp, crayfish, and perhaps raw shrimp or mussel
s. Never overfeed the fish or give it red meat or chicken as this can lead to fatty liver disease, which is usually fatal. For a single species aquarium this fish would make a great pet, and they have been known to live up to 10 years in a well-maintained aquarium - which, as with all puffers, means water changes of 50% each week, with good water movement and absolutely no ammonia
or nitrite
s, and minimal nitrates.
Mekong
The Mekong is a river that runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , and it drains an area of , discharging of water annually....
basin in southeastern Asia, and is exclusively a fresh water fish. Of all the puffers in the Tetraodon genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
, the T. Suvatti is among the most aggressive. When confronted by an intruder the T. Suvatti will first react by staring intently, if the fish refuses to back down the T. Suvatti will then lower its head and charge the other fish. The Suvatti will then open its mouth and slowly move toward the other fish, if the other fish is still not threatened enough by this, the Suvatti will turn and position its broadside toward the invading fish and inflate its body, it then will swim in front of the fish in a zigzag pattern, it will lower i's head and open its mouth to show its teeth, if the warning of inflation does not scare away the invading fish, the Suvatti will attack the fish and inflict serious wounds or it will kill the fish. Just Like their saltwater cousins, the T. Suvatti contains tetrodotoxin
Tetrodotoxin
Tetrodotoxin, also known as "tetrodox" and frequently abbreviated as TTX, sometimes colloquially referred to as "zombie powder" by those who practice Vodou, is a potent neurotoxin with no known antidote. There have been successful tests of a possible antidote in mice, but further tests must be...
within their skin, and organs. Normally when T. Suvatti's are kept as pets they must be kept in an aquarium
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
by themselves as they have a tendency to always be aggressive and hungry, unless they are well-fed, and thus they will nibble on the other fish's tails, and occasionally will make a meal of the other fish. Because of the Suvatti's eating habits, it should normally only be fed every other day. During a feeding the Suvatti will shoot up to the surface and guzzle down large amounts of food causing it to double in size. The Arrowhead Puffer can be purchased at most pet stores that carry exotic fishes for around 20-30 USD. Basic care would include the feeding of live fish, gut-loaded ghost shrimp, crayfish, and perhaps raw shrimp or mussel
Mussel
The common name mussel is used for members of several families of clams or bivalvia mollusca, from saltwater and freshwater habitats. These groups have in common a shell whose outline is elongated and asymmetrical compared with other edible clams, which are often more or less rounded or oval.The...
s. Never overfeed the fish or give it red meat or chicken as this can lead to fatty liver disease, which is usually fatal. For a single species aquarium this fish would make a great pet, and they have been known to live up to 10 years in a well-maintained aquarium - which, as with all puffers, means water changes of 50% each week, with good water movement and absolutely no ammonia
Ammonia
Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula . It is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent odour. Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to food and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or...
or nitrite
Nitrite
The nitrite ion has the chemical formula NO2−. The anion is symmetric with equal N-O bond lengths and a O-N-O bond angle of ca. 120°. On protonation the unstable weak acid nitrous acid is produced. Nitrite can be oxidised or reduced, with product somewhat dependent on the oxidizing/reducing agent...
s, and minimal nitrates.