The Red Congo pufferfish is also known as a red potato pufferfish, so the name “Yams” is most appropriate. These adorable little fish resemble sweet potatoes in shape and coloration, hence the name. They can grow to around six inches, lending to the potato correlation. They prefer a sandy-bottomed environment so they can perform their favorite magic trick.
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The maneuver is part of their survival, and as such, it is also a learned behavior. Yams was not always so adept at hiding. His early attempts are pretty humorous.
The small animal will bury itself in the sand, with nothing but its eyes visible. As prey swims close, it attacks from below. These voracious little eating machines will eat or attack anything else in the tank. They are not friendly fish and should live in solitary confinement.
It is essential to vary the menu for aquarium-kept pufferfish to simulate their natural diet. They like worms, insects, and shrimp. Insect varieties can include crickets, cockroaches, and locusts. They eat fish but should avoid feeder fish containing the enzyme thiaminase, which can cause a vitamin deficiency.
This type of puffer uses the disappearing fish trick to hide. They can also alter their coloration, like a chameleon, to blend in with the environment. When frightened or threatened, pufferfish have a unique defense mechanism. They blow up like balloons, making themselves look larger to potential predators. If you have an aquarium-kept puffer, it is unwise to startle your fish to see this reaction because it unnecessarily causes stress.
If you want to see more of Yams, please follow Masterpiece Aquatics on TikTok. They post content on several different fish species, focusing heavily on Yams.
Please share Yams’ magic trick.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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