Freshwater
Puffer
More details
Humpback Puffer (Pao palembangensis)
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Pro
Description
The Humpback Puffer is a rare and highly territorial freshwater puffer known for its deep body, sharp dorsal slope, and cryptic coloration. It's a solitary ambush predator that demands precise care and is best suited for experienced aquarists maintaining specialized species tanks.
Difficulty Level
Expert Only
Region
Humpback Puffer (Pao palembangensis)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires a species-only tank, excellent filtration, and careful feeding. Sensitive to water quality and prone to stress.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Still wild-collected in Southeast Asia; captive breeding is minimal but encouraged due to its niche appeal.
Origin
Native to slow-moving rivers, lakes, and floodplain pools in Southeast Asia, particularly around Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Distinct humped back and triangular body profile with mottled brown and cream spotting for camouflage. Its movement is deliberate and jerky, with eyes that move independently and a beak that makes it look perpetually alert.
Purpose
Serves as a centerpiece for species-only or single-puffer tanks. Observing its stalking and territorial behaviors brings a sense of mystery and realism to freshwater predator tanks.
Importance
A true oddball species with growing popularity among puffer specialists. Offers a chance to work with a unique predator and understand complex solitary behaviors.
Included Resources
Requires a soft sand substrate, strong filtration, moderate flow, and scattered hardscape or caves for line-of-sight breaks. No tankmates. Good lid essential—prone to jumping.
Best Use Cases
Dedicated oddball tanks, puffer-specific aquaria, or biotope setups replicating murky Southeast Asian backwaters. Not suitable for planted or community tanks.
Conservation Context
Wild-collected with limited export. Habitat degradation in Southeast Asia threatens local populations. Sustainable keeping depends on responsible sourcing and avoiding impulse purchases.
Ideal Aquatic Species
• None. Must be kept solo.
• In extremely large tanks (75–100+ gallons), may tolerate fast inverts like Amano shrimp (still risky).
• Never keep with other fish or puffers.
Region (A)
• Latitude: 2.9909° S
• Longitude: 104.7561° E
(Palembang region, South Sumatra – floodplain habitat)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 3.1390° N
• Longitude: 101.6869° E
(Klang Valley, Peninsular Malaysia – slow-moving river networks)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Humpback Puffer (Pao palembangensis)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires a species-only tank, excellent filtration, and careful feeding. Sensitive to water quality and prone to stress.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Still wild-collected in Southeast Asia; captive breeding is minimal but encouraged due to its niche appeal.
Origin
Native to slow-moving rivers, lakes, and floodplain pools in Southeast Asia, particularly around Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Distinct humped back and triangular body profile with mottled brown and cream spotting for camouflage. Its movement is deliberate and jerky, with eyes that move independently and a beak that makes it look perpetually alert.
Purpose
Serves as a centerpiece for species-only or single-puffer tanks. Observing its stalking and territorial behaviors brings a sense of mystery and realism to freshwater predator tanks.
Importance
A true oddball species with growing popularity among puffer specialists. Offers a chance to work with a unique predator and understand complex solitary behaviors.
Included Resources
Requires a soft sand substrate, strong filtration, moderate flow, and scattered hardscape or caves for line-of-sight breaks. No tankmates. Good lid essential—prone to jumping.
Best Use Cases
Dedicated oddball tanks, puffer-specific aquaria, or biotope setups replicating murky Southeast Asian backwaters. Not suitable for planted or community tanks.
Conservation Context
Wild-collected with limited export. Habitat degradation in Southeast Asia threatens local populations. Sustainable keeping depends on responsible sourcing and avoiding impulse purchases.
Ideal Aquatic Species
• None. Must be kept solo.
• In extremely large tanks (75–100+ gallons), may tolerate fast inverts like Amano shrimp (still risky).
• Never keep with other fish or puffers.
Region (A)
• Latitude: 2.9909° S
• Longitude: 104.7561° E
(Palembang region, South Sumatra – floodplain habitat)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 3.1390° N
• Longitude: 101.6869° E
(Klang Valley, Peninsular Malaysia – slow-moving river networks)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Humpback Puffer (Pao palembangensis)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires a species-only tank, excellent filtration, and careful feeding. Sensitive to water quality and prone to stress.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Still wild-collected in Southeast Asia; captive breeding is minimal but encouraged due to its niche appeal.
Origin
Native to slow-moving rivers, lakes, and floodplain pools in Southeast Asia, particularly around Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.
Visual & Behavioral Appeal
Distinct humped back and triangular body profile with mottled brown and cream spotting for camouflage. Its movement is deliberate and jerky, with eyes that move independently and a beak that makes it look perpetually alert.
Purpose
Serves as a centerpiece for species-only or single-puffer tanks. Observing its stalking and territorial behaviors brings a sense of mystery and realism to freshwater predator tanks.
Importance
A true oddball species with growing popularity among puffer specialists. Offers a chance to work with a unique predator and understand complex solitary behaviors.
Included Resources
Requires a soft sand substrate, strong filtration, moderate flow, and scattered hardscape or caves for line-of-sight breaks. No tankmates. Good lid essential—prone to jumping.
Best Use Cases
Dedicated oddball tanks, puffer-specific aquaria, or biotope setups replicating murky Southeast Asian backwaters. Not suitable for planted or community tanks.
Conservation Context
Wild-collected with limited export. Habitat degradation in Southeast Asia threatens local populations. Sustainable keeping depends on responsible sourcing and avoiding impulse purchases.
Ideal Aquatic Species
• None. Must be kept solo.
• In extremely large tanks (75–100+ gallons), may tolerate fast inverts like Amano shrimp (still risky).
• Never keep with other fish or puffers.
Region (A)
• Latitude: 2.9909° S
• Longitude: 104.7561° E
(Palembang region, South Sumatra – floodplain habitat)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 3.1390° N
• Longitude: 101.6869° E
(Klang Valley, Peninsular Malaysia – slow-moving river networks)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Humpback Puffer (Pao palembangensis)
Region
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