The dwarf pufferfish, also known as the pea pufferfish, is one of the smallest pufferfish in the world. It is a slow swimmer and often stays hidden in vegetation or on the bottom. The main propulsion for swimming in pufferfish is provided by the dorsal and anal fins, while the caudal fin is only responsible for changing direction. This makes the swimming behavior of the dwarf puffer fish reminiscent of a helicopter. All pufferfish can inflate their bodies by quickly absorbing water into their highly elastic stomachs. Strong ring muscles at the entrance to the stomach prevent the water from flowing back. By inflating, it increases its body volume and makes it more difficult for potential attackers to swallow it.
After the approximately 100 eggs have been laid on delicate plants, the male fertilizes them. The fry hatch just under a week later and are sexually mature after only five months.
| Classification |
Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae), genus Carinotetraodon (6 species) |
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| Habitat |
low-flowing rivers of India with dense vegetation |
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| 3Behaviour |
living in small groups, diurnal |
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| Diet |
snails, mosquito larvae and small crustaceans |
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| 5 |
|Body length |
up to 3.5 cm |
| Spawn |
The 1 - 5 eggs are laid well hidden in the underwater vegetation. |
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| Use |
Aquaristics |
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| Current population |
The overall population is in sharp decline. It is estimated that there are less than 10,000 individuals in the wild. This figure varies depending on the source. |
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| At Zurich Zoo since |
2024 |
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