Care
The Potato Puffer is known from much of the Congo River basin, including its tributaries the Aruwimi, Itimbiri, Kasai, Lindi-Tshopo, Ruki, and Ubangi Rivers. It is also found in the upper Lualaba (the headstream of the Congo River) and the Boyoma Falls (which lead from the Lualaba into the Congo River), in addition to the Kwilu River. Here, it is most commonly found in the fast-flowing, highly oxygenated sections of large rivers and rapids where it may be observed lurking between crevices in the rocks or riparian vegetation, ready to ambush any small fish or crustaceans that venture past.
The Potato Puffer requires a mature aquarium with a 2-3" depth of sand substrate in which it can wallow, and a number of rocky caves and crevices to hide between. As these fish are voracious eaters and can create a fair amount of waste, decent filtration should be employed (an external canister is ideal). There should be areas of moderate water movement and a high level of oxygenation, perhaps achieved by a powerhead with flow diverter angled up towards the surface of the water, or by keeping a slightly dropped water line so that water returning from the filter splashes down onto the water's surface. Regular partial water changes are a must to help keep nitrate to a minimum, as these fish are particularly sensitive to the build up of pollutants. A Potato Puffer will not tolerate any other fish within the confines of the same aquarium, so each individual must be maintained as a solitary specimen in a species-only tank; indeed, it is not unknown for these predatory oddballs to 'go for' fish that can be seen in neighbouring aquariums. This fish will spend most of the day buried in the sand with just the eyes and mouth protruding, but the moment food is offered, it will exit the substrate with alarming speed to aggressively ambush its meal. The Potato Puffer is capable of dramatic colour change, and depending on its immediate surroundings, may appear brown, red, orange, yellow, cream, grey, black, or olive green - often mimicking algae-covered cobble stones on the river bed.
As with other puffer species, this fish can inflate when frightened or cornered. It should never be provoked into doing so, and never above water where it can take on air, which can prove fatal. If moving a Potato Puffer to larger quarters, the fish should be herded into a solid container under the water so as to remove the necessity of netting and lifting it clear of the water. Please remember that pufferfish can vary in temperament, and there may be exceptions to the expected behaviour of the species. May also be seen on sale as the Congo Puffer or Miurus Puffer.
Feeding
Meaty frozen food such as cockles, cockle-in-shell, mussels, krill, prawns, lancefish, crayfish tails, crab legs etc. Will eat snails. Hard-shelled foods should be offered on a regular basis in order to keep the beak worn down.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium.
