Along the shifting floodplains of the Lower Mekong, Pao turgidus lives by rhythm rather than chase. It moves when the water moves and waits when it slows, blending completely with the riverbed until a flicker of motion betrays its prey. To keep it well is to capture that balance of stillness and flow.

In 2013, a wave of molecular research reshaped the pufferfish family tree. Genera once grouped under Tetraodon were split into Pao, Dichotomyctere, and Leiodon, revealing deep evolutionary divides hidden by outward similarity. This landmark reclassification transformed both science and the aquarium hobby, marking the moment when modern genetics redefined how we understand pufferfish lineage and identity.

In the wild, many pufferfish are opportunistic predators, relying on movement to trigger their hunting instincts. They chase down crabs, hunt for worms, and even ambush small fish, crunching them apart with their powerful bites. When suddenly placed in an aquarium and presented with prepared foods, many puffers simply don’t recognise these items as edible.

Many species of freshwater, brackish and marine pufferfish bury themselves into the substrate. This behaviour is known as "wallowing" and...

The Tetraodontidae are a family of primarily (but not limited to) marine and estuarine fish of the order Tetraodontiformes. Almost all of...

In the shaded rivers and backwaters of Thailand, Malaysia, and Sumatra, the Dragon Puffer holds its ground among driftwood and fallen leaves. Every movement is deliberate, every strike calculated. To keep one is to recreate that quiet world of soft light, slow water, and calm intent.

Hidden among the stones of the Mekong, Pao baileyi waits in silence. Motionless for hours, it blends with the riverbed until the moment it strikes: swift, precise, and absolute. In the aquarium, it brings that same patience and power, a fish that rewards understanding rather than spectacle.

This care sheet is written with the aim of providing the optimal care for this species of fish. Pufferfish Enthusiasts Worldwide endeavours to i nspire and promote the highest standards of care - not basic or minimum care - using the best evidence available at the time. Introduction The Pao suvattii  is one of the Mekong’s most formidable and enigmatic freshwater puffers, a species that captures both the quiet patience and sudden violence of life on the riverbed. Endemic to t

The Pao genus contains mostly freshwater pufferfish, with the exception of one (P.leiurus) which can also be found in brackish waters. ...