Tetraodon suvattii

Taxobox
name = "Tetraodon suvattii"
image_width = 250px
image_caption =
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Tetraodontiformes
familia = Tetraodontidae
genus = "Tetraodon"
species = "T. suvattii"
binomial = "Tetraodon suvattii"
binomial_authority = Sontirat, 1989The "Tetraodon suvattii", or Arrowhead puffer belongs to the family Tetraodontidae [ [http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/Puffers/Pufferfish.php Puffers, Pufferfish, Family: Tetraodontidae ] ] and is an average sized fish and can grow up to 6 inches in length. It is also known as a Pignose Puffer or a Mekong Puffer. It is commonly found in Mekong basin in southeastern Asia, and is exclusively a fresh water fish. Of all the puffers in the Tetraodon Genus, the T. Suvatti is among the most aggressive. When confronted by an intruder the T. Suvatti will first react by staring intently, if the fish refuses to back down the T. Suvatti will then lower its head and charge the other fish. The Suvatti will then open its mouth and slowly move toward the other fish, if the other fish is still not threatened enough by this, the Suvatti will turn and position its broadside toward the invading fish and inflate its body, it then will swim in front of the fish in a zigzag pattern, it will lower i's head and open its mouth to show its teeth, if the warning of inflation does not scare away the invading fish, the Suvatti will attack the fish and inflict serious wounds or it will kill the fish. Just Like their saltwater cousins, the T. Suvatti contains tetrodotoxin within their skin, and organs. Normally when T. Suvatti's are kept as pets they must be kept in an aquarium by themselves as they have a tendency to always be aggressive and hungry, [ [http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/library/puffers-in-focus/arrowhead/ The Puffer Forum • The Puffer Library » The Arrowhead Puffer: Maliciously Miraculous ] ] unless they are constantly fed, and thus they will nibble on the other fish's tails, and occasionally will make a meal of the other fish. Because of the Suvatti's eating habits, it should normally only be fed every other day. During a feeding the Suvatti will shoot up to the surface and guzzle down large amounts of food causing it to double in size. The Arrowhead Puffer can be purchased at most pet stores that carry exotic fishes for around 20-30 USD, and they do not require extensive knowledge about fish to take care of, since they are a fairly hardy freshwater species. Basic care would include not feeding the fish any red meat or chicken as this can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, [ [http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/t_suvattii.htm T.suvattii ] ] due to a build-up of fatty protein.Clarifyme|date=February 2008 For a single species aquarium this fish would make a great pet, and they have been known to live up to 10 years in a maintained aquarium.

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