Amazon Puffer

A small puffer with a yellow-gold body and broad dark bands across the back, and a row of small skin flaps across the chin.

The row of skin flaps across the chin separates it from its relatives. It is the only puffer commonly sold from South America.

No reliable way to tell the sexes apart has been confirmed.

Decorate well with wood and overhanging or floating plants, and add extra flow and oxygen if needed. Treat 108 litres as the lower limit, and go larger for a group. Expect weekly water changes of 30 to 50 percent.

Forms loose groups and is rarely still. It is more restless than most puffers and can seem nervous alone.

Naturally social. Buy six or more if you can.

Not strongly territorial, although squabbles occur over food.

Not aggressive as such, but unsuited to the general community tank. It may nip fins, so tankmates must be fast, river-dwelling fish. It will eat shrimp and snails.

Freshwater only, with a fairly wide tolerance. It prefers cooler water than most puffers and strong oxygen levels.

Eats mostly snails and crustaceans. Feed shelled foods regularly, along with frozen meaty foods.

Check the beak regularly. If it overgrows, the fish can no longer eat and the teeth may need to be trimmed by someone experienced.

Not recorded in aquariums. In the wild it produces many small eggs, more like marine puffers than other freshwater puffers.