Arrowhead puffer

Pao suvattii

An upturned mouth and dorsal arrow mark belong to a sand-hiding predator

The broad wedge head has high eyes and an upturned mouth above mottled brown flanks. The diagnostic V lies on the head/back and is not fully visible in a strict side illustration.

Adult length: Up to 11.5 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
Water temperature: 22–26 °C
pH: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: 5–12 dGH

Small fish can be swallowed and larger fish bitten. Being larger than the puffer is no guarantee of safety.

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Appearance and identification

This Asian freshwater ambusher resembles the African T. miurus in posture and burial behaviour. Check the dorsal mark, locality and combined traits; brown or red colour and trade names alone do not identify it.

Social behaviour and territory

Plan a solitary species aquarium. Conspecific combinations require more space, cover and close observation; no safe group count is established here.

Compatibility limits

Not recommended for communities. A few armoured-catfish anecdotes cannot establish general safety.

Space requirements

Provide fine sand for burial with smooth rocks and roots. A profile suggests a 75 × 30 cm base for one fish and 2–3 inches of sand; these are source recommendations, not validated carrying capacity.

Aquarium environment

Plants may add cover while preserving sand and retreat space. Shrimp are potential prey.

Diet and feeding

Offer varied suitable shrimp, earthworms and other live or frozen foods; confirm acceptance of non-live items. An importer reports tong-fed frozen food.

Sources