Tem uma foto? Identifique peixes instantaneamente com o app Fishby.
Abrir o appDescrição
Colomesus asellus, commonly known as the Baiacu-listrado or Amazon Puffer, is a small, freshwater pufferfish native to the Amazon River basin. It is characterized by its distinctive black and yellow/green striped pattern and its ability to inflate its body as a defense mechanism. Unlike many other pufferfish, C. asellus is primarily a molluscivore, playing a crucial role in controlling snail populations in its natural habitat. It is a highly active and curious species, often sought after by aquarists for its unique appearance and engaging behavior.
Características físicas
- Formato do corpo
- rounded
- Coloração
- Dorsal surface and flanks are typically bright yellow to greenish-yellow, adorned with 4-5 prominent, dark black transverse bands. The ventral surface is white. Fins are generally translucent.
- Tipo de escama
- none
- Posição da boca
- terminal
- Características distintivas
- Small, compact body, reaching up to 8 cm (3.1 inches) in total length., Absence of pelvic fins., Small, rounded dorsal and anal fins positioned far back on the body., Ability to inflate its body with water or air when threatened, forming a spherical shape., Beak-like mouth with fused teeth (dental plates).
- Nadadeira dorsal
- Single, small, and rounded, positioned posteriorly.
- Nadadeira caudal
- Truncate to slightly rounded caudal fin.
- Nadadeira peitoral
- Well-developed, fan-shaped, used for precise maneuvering.
- Nadadeiras características
- Absence of pelvic fins.
Dicas de identificação
Coloration and Pattern
Look for the distinct yellow/green body with 4-5 prominent black vertical bands. This is the most reliable visual identifier.
Body Shape
Its compact, rounded body and the ability to inflate are characteristic of pufferfish, but the specific banding distinguishes it from other freshwater puffers.
Fin Arrangement
The absence of pelvic fins and the small, posteriorly placed dorsal and anal fins are key features.
Size
Its relatively small adult size (up to 8 cm) helps differentiate it from larger puffer species.
Habitat
- Tipo de água
- freshwater
- Profundidade
- Typically found in shallow to moderate depths, often near the banks of rivers and tributaries.
- Ambiente
- Inhabits slow-moving to moderately flowing freshwater rivers, streams, and floodplains within the Amazon basin. Prefers areas with dense vegetation, submerged roots, and sandy or muddy substrates.
- Distribuição geográfica
- Native to the Amazon River basin in South America, including parts of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia. Its distribution extends throughout the main Amazon channel and its major tributaries.
Informações sobre aquário
- Nível de cuidado: intermediate
- Temperamento: semi-aggressive
- Alimentação: carnivore
- Tamanho mínimo do aquário: 60 liters (15 gallons) for a single specimen, larger for groups
- Temperatura: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- Nível de pH: 6.0-7.5
- Dureza da água: 5-15 dGH
- Compatibilidade: Best kept in a species-specific tank or with fast-moving, robust fish that can tolerate its fin-nipping tendencies. Not suitable for community tanks with slow-moving or long-finned fish.
- Requisitos especiais: Requires a well-filtered aquarium with plenty of hiding spots and open swimming areas. A sandy substrate is preferred as they often sift through it. Regular feeding of hard-shelled invertebrates (snails, small crustaceans) is essential for dental health, as their teeth grow continuously. Excellent water quality is paramount.
Informações no ambiente natural
- Estado de conservação: least concern
- Sazonalidade: No specific seasonal behavior patterns are widely documented for this species in terms of migration or breeding, though reproductive activity may increase during rainy seasons.
- Preço de mercado: Moderate for the aquarium trade
- Importância comercial: low
- Sabor: Not consumed
- Textura: Not consumed
- Valor nutricional: Not applicable, as it is not consumed due to potential toxicity.
Fatos principais
Dental Healthbehavior
Colomesus asellus requires a diet of hard-shelled invertebrates to wear down its continuously growing teeth. Failure to do so can lead to overgrown teeth, preventing the fish from eating and potentially requiring veterinary intervention.
Unique Freshwater Pufferinteresting
It is one of the few truly freshwater pufferfish species, making it a popular choice for aquarists interested in puffers without the need for brackish or marine setups.
Snail Controlbehavior
In its natural habitat, C. asellus plays a significant ecological role in controlling populations of freshwater snails, which can be intermediate hosts for parasites.
Inflation Defensebehavior
When threatened, the Baiacu-listrado can rapidly inflate its body by swallowing water (or air if removed from water), making itself appear larger and more difficult for predators to swallow.
Informações de segurança
Manusear com cuidado- Nível de segurança: caution
- Venenoso: Não
- Comestibilidade: poisonous
- Observações de manuseio: While not venomous, Colomesus asellus, like most pufferfish, contains tetrodotoxin in its internal organs (liver, gonads, skin). This toxin is highly potent and can be fatal if ingested. Therefore, it should never be consumed. When handling, minimize direct contact and avoid stressing the fish, as inflation can be stressful. Always wash hands thoroughly after contact.
Espécies similares
Colomesus psittacus
Colomesus psittacus
C. psittacus (Banded Puffer) is a larger species (up to 30 cm) and is primarily brackish to marine, though it can tolerate freshwater for periods. While it also has bands, they are typically less defined and the overall coloration can be more muted. C. asellus is strictly freshwater and much smaller.
Tetraodon lineatus
Tetraodon lineatus
T. lineatus (Fahaka Puffer) is a much larger (up to 43 cm) and more aggressive freshwater puffer from Africa. Its banding pattern is different, often more irregular or blotchy, and its head shape is distinct.
Classificação científica
- Reino
- Animalia
- Filo
- Chordata
- Classe
- Actinopterygii
- Ordem
- Tetraodontiformes
- Família
- Tetraodontidae
- Gênero
- Colomesus
- Espécie
- asellus
Explore Baiacu-listrado
Identifique peixes em qualquer lugar
Grátis para iOS, Android e web. Identificação por foto, detalhes completos das espécies e muito mais.