Spotted Congo Puffer 6cm

Spotted Congo Puffer – Intelligent, Rare, and Full of Personality
(Tetraodon schoutedeni)

The Spotted Congo Puffer (Tetraodon schoutedeni) is a rare and highly sought-after freshwater pufferfish known for its vibrant personality, unique pattern of black spots over a golden-olive body, and relative peacefulness compared to other puffers. Native to the Congo River Basin, this species makes an incredibly interactive and rewarding pet for aquarists ready for a more specialized fish.

Key Features:

• Eye-Catching Appearance: Covered in bold, irregular black spots across a yellow-to-olive body, with expressive eyes and a constantly curious demeanor.

• Freshwater Rarity: One of the few true freshwater puffers that thrive long-term without salt, and more community-friendly than many other puffer species.

• Compact Yet Engaging: Grows to about 8–10 cm (3–4 inches) and displays intelligent, responsive behavior—will often interact with its owner.

• Individually Unique Personalities: Each Spotted Congo Puffer tends to develop its own quirky behavior, making them endlessly fascinating to watch.

Tank Compatibility:

• Best kept solo or with careful selection of fast, non-nippy tankmates (species-only setups are common)

• Not community fish in the traditional sense—monitor closely if housed with others

• Minimum tank size: 75 liters (20 gallons) for a single specimen, with lots of cover and territory

Care Requirements:

• Temperature: 24°C–28°C (75°F–82°F)

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Soft to moderately hard water

• Provide a heavily aquascaped tank with driftwood, plants, and caves to mimic natural riverbed environments

• Strong filtration and regular water changes are essential

Feeding Tips:

• Carnivorous and requires a varied diet of meaty foods

• Feed snails, bloodworms, earthworms, and other hard-shelled foods to help keep teeth naturally trimmed

• Avoid flake or pellet-only diets

Why Choose the Spotted Congo Puffer?
For aquarists seeking a bold, intelligent, and truly unique freshwater fish, the Spotted Congo Puffer is an exceptional choice. With proper care, it will reward you with interaction, striking beauty, and loads of character.