Data sheet isopod puffer fish
German name:
isopod puffer fish
Scientific name:
Colomesus asellus
Origin:
South America, Amazon
Size:
Body length up to 14 cm
Aquarium
Length:
Length from 120 cm width and from 40 cm width
Contents:
240 liters
water values
Temperature:
22°C – 28°C
pH:
6 – 7.5
GH:
5° – 15° dH
Behave
Area:
middle area
Lining:
Snails, small crustaceans, frozen food, live food
Behave:
peaceful, sometimes aggressive towards their own kind
Number:
alone or in a group
Difficulty level:
Intermediate Oliver s., isopod puffer, CC BY-SA 3.0
The isopod puffer is also known as the parrot freshwater puffer and is excellent for containing a plague of snails in the aquarium. This species is a freshwater fish, while most other species of puffer fish are not. They mostly need seawater or at least brackish water.
Look
The body shape resembles a sphere, hence the name. The scales look like short spines, otherwise the fish skin looks like leather. The eyes stand out clearly. Five dark transverse bands run across the body, while the basic color can be yellow, green or brown. Small flaps of skin are found on the chin and the pectoral fins move like small propellers to propel the fish. The other fins are used for steering. When danger threatens, the animal puffs up and gets a bigger appearance, which is supposed to drive away the enemy. It does this by swallowing water that is stored in an expansion of the stomach. This creates a croaking sound. The small spikes stand up and the fish looks like a hedgehog. The water is drained through the mouth, which is clearly associated with a hissing sound.
food
The diet of this fish should be regular with snails and other hard-shelled food. This is important for the teeth as they grow throughout life and are only worn down by feeding on snails. Otherwise, at some point, the animal will no longer be able to eat because the long teeth will block its mouth. However, a very rapid growth of the teeth was also observed, although enough snails and similar hard food was offered. Here the affected puffer fish often bit into a root. Unfortunately, it is not known whether it served to wear down the teeth. There are even instructions on how to cut the animals’ teeth manually. Furthermore, frozen food, live food, flake food and granules can be fed. Mosquito larvae are also very popular.
attitude
Should it be necessary to fish a puffer fish out of the tank, a so-called fishing bell is preferable. Colomesus asellus is very sensitive to oxygen and can suffocate more quickly out of water than other fish.
The life expectancy of an isopod puffer fish is 4 to 10 years. Over time, he can become very trusting and will also accept the food from your hand if he moves calmly.
Puffer fish are generally considered poisonous and are therefore not suitable for consumption. The venom is present in the skin, liver and, in some species, in the ovaries during the spawning season. The intestines of the fish also contain the main component of the poison, which is known as «tetrodotoxin». Only in muscle meat it does not occur. That is why the puffer fish is considered a very expensive delicacy in Japan and may only be prepared by special chefs. Hands should be protected when cleaning the pool.
gender differences
An adult female is slightly larger than the male. Otherwise, it is very difficult to tell the sexes apart.
breed
Colomesus asellus is a free spawner and does not look after its offspring. Unfortunately, the spawning behavior of these puffer fish leads to a high loss rate, which is why a large number of eggs are always laid. During the rainy season, the females migrate to the Amazon because in the other habitats the eggs would sink into the ground. Breeding in the aquarium has not yet been documented.
socialization
This can take place well with other peaceful and calm species. However, to ensure that the puffer fish does not nibble on the fins of its roommates, there must always be plenty of food available. In addition, care should be taken to ensure that the other roommates do not have any spot coloring. Otherwise it can be confused with worms and the puffer fish pecks at the fish in question.
Other questions
How should the aquarium be equipped?
Above all, care should be taken to ensure that there is sufficient swimming space. Nevertheless, the puffer fish likes a lush planting, because here he can hide well. Various stones and roots provide a retreat.
If the puffer swims up and down the glass of the aquarium, it may have become too small.