FreshwaterBrackish
Pufferfish
Pao leiurus
Tetraodontidae, Tetraodontinae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 16 cm
- Body shape
- Deep-bodied
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 106 liters
- Diet
- Missing
Know what is missing? Suggest it in the app.
Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
Native
Lives wild in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Videos
Snorkeling With Freshwater Puffers | Exploring Southern Thailand EP3
Rodrigo SilvaJan 16, 2026
More about the species
Description
Inhabits streams and rivers in upland and lowland areas. Occurs in flowing and standing water habitats. Also found in swamps and reservoirs, where it may be extremely abundant. Encountered in medium to large-sized rivers. Feeds on mollusks, crustaceans and other invertebrates as well as some plant matter and detritus. Possibly poisonous and not a commercial fish. Sometimes imported in the aquarium trade but known to be very aggressive and snappish.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Crayacion cochinchinensis
- Monotreta cambodgiensis
- Monotreta cutcutia cutcutia
- Monotreta leiurus
- Monotrete leiurus
- Tetraodon cutcutia
In other languages
- Jakarta-kuglefisk
- Töppöpallokala
Articles
All articles
Fish that get along4 min read
Temperament, fin nippers, fish that eat other fish, and fish that need the same water. And what the Harmony mark in the app means.
How to set up an Asian aquarium5 min read
Two aquariums from Southeast Asia: calm forest streams and peat swamps with soft, brown water, and fast mountain streams with cool, oxygen-rich water.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.