Fine Art

Tetraodon mbu

Tetraodon mbu (*)

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Superclassis/Classis: Actinopterygii
Classis/Subclassis: Actinopteri
Subclassis/Infraclassis: Neopterygii
Infraclassis: Teleostei
Megacohors: Osteoglossocephalai
Supercohors: Clupeocephala
Cohors: Euteleosteomorpha
Subcohors: Neoteleostei
Infracohors: Eurypterygia
Sectio: Ctenosquamata
Subsectio: Acanthomorphata
Divisio/Superordo: Acanthopterygii
Subdivisio: Percomorphaceae
Series: Eupercaria
Ordo: Tetraodontiformes
Subordo: Tetraodontoidei

Familia: Tetraodontidae
Genus: Tetraodon
Species: Tetraodon mbu
Name

Tetraodon mbu Boulenger, 1899

Vernacular names
English: Giant puffer, Giant freshwater puffer, Mbu puffer
ไทย: ปลาปักเป้าเอ็มบู
References

IUCN: Tetraodon mbu Boulenger, 1899 (Least Concern)

The Mbu puffer, giant puffer or giant freshwater puffer (Tetraodon mbu) is a carnivorous freshwater pufferfish originating from the middle and lower sections of the Congo river in Africa, as well as the east coast of Lake Tanganyika near the Malagarasi River mouth.

The species is commonly referred to as the giant freshwater pufferfish due to its massive size, growing to a length of 67 cm (26 inches). As such, these fish are difficult to adequately house in home aquaria since they require a very large tank and appropriately scaled water filtration.

Like all of its relatives, the Mbu puffer is capable of inflating itself with water or air when stressed or otherwise frightened. It feeds on smaller fish, mollusks, crustaceans, snails, and worms. Species kept in captivity require a varied diet consisting of shelled foods to help ensure good health and to prevent tooth overgrowth.

References

Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2006). "Tetraodon mbu" in FishBase. April 2006 version.

Moelants, T.; Ntakimazi, G. (2010). "Tetraodon mbu". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T182314A7857179. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T182314A7857179.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.

Fish Images

Biology Encyclopedia

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/"
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

Home - Hellenica World