Pao abei

<em>Pao abei</em> is a freshwater pufferfish belonging to the family Tetraodontidae, a group recognized worldwide for its members' ability to inflate their bodies as a predator-deterrence mechanism and for the presence of tetrodotoxin in certain tissues. This species typically reaches a maximum length of approximately 10 cm. Tetraodontidae includes both marine and freshwater representatives, with the freshwater puffers of the genus <em>Pao</em> distributed primarily across river systems in South and Southeast Asia. <em>Pao abei</em> is native to freshwater habitats in its native range, typically inhabiting slow-moving to moderately flowing rivers and associated floodplain environments with soft substrates and submerged vegetation or woody debris. Like other freshwater puffers, it is a benthopelagic predator that uses its fused beak-like dental plates to crack open mollusks, crustaceans, and other hard-shelled invertebrates, which form the core of its diet. This feeding behavior makes provision of appropriate hard food items, such as snails, essential for dental wear management in captive specimens. <em>Pao abei</em> is kept by specialized freshwater aquarium hobbyists, though its aggressive disposition — characteristic of many pufferfish — often necessitates housing it alone or with carefully selected tankmates. A well-filtered tank with hiding places and a varied diet of live and frozen invertebrates typically supports its wellbeing. Details of broader habitat and range for this species remain limited in the ichthyological literature.