Leopard Puffer
Leopard Puffer
Leopard Puffer (Pao abei) is a medium-sized Southeast Asian freshwater puffer with a bold dark-spotted pattern on a pale brown to olive background — the leopard spotting is well-defined and covers the entire body. A robust and characterful puffer that adapts well to aquarium conditions.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Clams on the Half Shell and Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms make excellent primary staples. Supplement with live or frozen snails, mussels, and shrimp with intact shells for essential dental wear. The clams on the half shell provide hard shell material in addition to the meat — ideal for puffer dental health. Feed 2–3 times daily.
Native to rivers and streams of Southeast Asia — Thailand, Cambodia, and the Mekong drainage. Inhabits moderate to slow-moving sections with sandy or muddy substrate. Part of the genus Pao, which was recently separated from Tetraodon.
All puffer fish have fused, beak-like teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. Hard foods — snails, shellfish, and crustaceans with intact shells — are essential for wearing down the teeth. A puffer fed only soft foods will eventually develop overgrown teeth that prevent eating, a condition requiring veterinary intervention. Snails and hard-shelled foods are dental care, not just food. An active forager that will hunt snails and investigate every surface of the aquarium. Hard foods are essential for dental health.
Keep singly — aggressive toward conspecifics and most tankmates. A species tank or a very large aquarium with fast, robust fish is the best approach.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Temperament | Aggressive — species tank recommended |
| Typical Adult Size | 6.0 inches (15 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | Singly |
| Ideal Temp | 74–82°F (23–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Ideal GH | 5–15 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 2–8 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Clams on the Half Shell; Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms |
| Treat / Supplement | Live/frozen snails; mussels; shrimp with shells (dental essential) |
| Origin | Southeast Asia — Thailand, Cambodia, Mekong drainage |
| Notes | Genus Pao (recently separated from Tetraodon). Bold leopard spotting. Aggressive — species tank best. Snail colony essential. |
