Every now and then we can import this incredible freshwater pufferfish in small numbers. It is a very specialized species that only occurs in nature in Sumatra and Borneo, where it inhabits very soft, acidic water. This puffer fish is a purely freshwater species, never frequenting brackish or seawater.
The strangely colored belly is used for food acquisition. Pao palembangensis is a predatory fish that pretends to be dead to hunt. It then hangs around in the most impossible body positions, its marbled belly looking like carrion. If a small fish or shrimp comes to eat from the carrion, the animal itself becomes the prey.
According to unconfirmed rumors, females are less humped than males; in any case, males remain somewhat smaller. Clear external sex differences are absent. Breeding has already been successful, the fish, which becomes about 12-15 (rarely up to 20) cm long, is a cave-breeder.
In literature Pao palembangensis (former: Tetraodon palembangensis) was incomprehensibly confused with the “figure-8 pufferfish”, Dichotomyctere ocellatus (formerly: Tetraodon biocellatus), a brackish water pufferfish growing about 8 cm long, which is still called “Palembang pufferfish” (see https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/27-puffers/dichotomyctere-ocellatus-formerly-tetraodon-biocellatus/). For Pao palembangensis, therefore, the colloquial name “Dragon Pufferfish” is becoming more and more common.
Pao palembangensis is listed on our stock list under codes 462551 (2–3 cm) to 462556 (15–20 cm), depending on size; Dichotomyctere ocellatus is listed under codes 462500 (2 cm) to 462507 (7–8 cm). Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesale customers.
Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer
