Keeping the Mbu Puffer

Caring for the World’s Largest Freshwater Puffer

Dec 23, 2008 Jennifer Wagaman

Learning how to properly care for the Mbu puffer is vital to keeping this fish happy and healthy.

Anyone who has seen a Tetraodon mbu, knows just how large they get. The Mbu puffer can reach 30 inches long, including the tail. These beautiful and graceful puffers are occasionally found in pet stores and are often described by those who have kept them as aquatic dogs. They have been reported to respond differently depending on who walks into the room. These fish can make a great long lived pet if you know how to properly care for them.

Habitat Needs for the Mbu Puffer

Since it grows so large, the Mbu puffer needs a very large tank. For an adult, the tank should be at least 500 gallons. The tank should be at least 6 feet long to give the puffer swimming distance. It should also be at least 3 feet wide (front to back) in order to provide the puffer with plenty of room to turn around. Puffers cramped in a small tank often develop injuries to their tails from trying to turn around. The height of the tank is not as important, with 24 to 30 inches being sufficient.

The tank should be well filtered with canisters or power filters, or preferably a combination of both to ensure that the water stays in the best condition possible. The Mbu will tolerate a range of pH, but prefer alkaline water between 7.0 and 7.8. A temperature of approximately 80 degrees is good.

Tank Mates for the Mbu Puffer

Some Mbu will tolerate tank mates, but many will not. Use caution if you decide to keep any fish in with this massive puffer. Also keep in mind that you will need fish that grow to a similar size to prevent them from becoming an expensive snack. This detail presents an issue with keeping water quality at its best unless you have a tank that is upwards of 1000 gallons. Even then, you would still need to monitor the water quality very closely.

These puffers can make great pets that may even outlive the family dog if you are willing to provide them the tank space, proper diet and other care that they need to live a long life. As with any pet, make sure you thoroughly research this fish before you bring it home from the store so that you are prepared to care for it properly from day one.

Learn about how to feed the Mbu Puffer.

Information provided by Damien Wagaman, December 23, 2008.

The copyright of the article Keeping the Mbu Puffer in Freshwater Fish is owned by Jennifer Wagaman. Permission to republish Keeping the Mbu Puffer in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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