Pao leiurus[2] is a species of pufferfish found in Southeast Asia from Thailand to Indonesia and in particular the Mekong basin.[3] It is occasionally imported into the aquarium trade but is reported to be aggressive and snappish.[3]

Pao leiurus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Tetraodontidae
Genus: Pao
Species:
P. leiurus
Binomial name
Pao leiurus
(Bleeker, 1850)
Synonyms
  • Tetraodon leiurus Bleeker, 1850
  • Monotrete leiurus (Bleeker, 1850)

Characteristics

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P. leiurus, which grows to around 16 cm (6.3 in), can be identified by dirty brown, brownish grey or gray markings on the upper part of the body which is poorly separated from markings on the lower body which tends to be dirty off-white, yellowish or pale grey with dusky mottling or spots.[3] P. leiurus also typically display occelated spots which may be red, green or blue.[3]

P. leiurus are typically found in tropical freshwater or brackish water, with temperatures ranging between 24 °C and 28 °C, including streams and rivers in upland and lowland areas, flowing and standing water habitats, swamps, and reservoirs.[3]

Like most Tetraodontidae, P. leiurus is a molluscivore and feeds on molluscs, crustaceans, and other invertebrates.

References

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  1. ^ Daniels, A. (2020). "Pao leiurus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T91348333A91348608. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T91348333A91348608.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ Kottelat, M. (2013): The Fishes of the Inland Waters of Southeast Asia: A Catalogue and Core Bibliography of the Fishes Known to Occur in Freshwaters, Mangroves and Estuaries. Archived 2013-12-02 at the Wayback Machine The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 2013, Supplement No. 27: 1–663.
  3. ^ a b c d e Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Monotrete leiurus". FishBase. October 2012 version.
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