AquariumFish.com
Freshwater fishHairy Puffer
Hairy Puffer
Couldn't load pickup availability
The hairy puffer is a prize delicacy in Japan but also a deadly one. Without perfect preparation, chefs have been known to accidentally kill their customers with the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin found in parts of this fish. If you do not plan to eat this fish it is a great pet. Natural to Laos, we do not know why the "hairs" grow on these fish, but they certainly are distinctive. Aggressive and best kept with larger species and fine with plants.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Pao baileyi |
| Origin | Mekong River basin, Laos |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Adult Size | Up to 5" |
| Lifespan | 10+ years |
| Diet | Carnivore (meaty foods, snails) |
| Water Temperature | 75–80°F |
| pH | 7.0–7.5 |
| Group Size | Single |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 4" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Give them plants, rocks and hiding places, and good filtration, since puffers are messy eaters.
Feeding: Puffers need meaty foods and usually won't eat flake. Feed frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp once a day. They also enjoy small snails, which help keep their teeth trimmed.
Tankmates: Hairy puffers are ambush predators that bite. Keep them alone or only with large, robust fish.
Good to know: Hairy puffers sit still and blend in with the bottom, then strike quickly at food.
Share
