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Tetraodon mbu

Tetraodon mbu (Mbu Pufferfish)

Tetraodon mbu (Mbu Pufferfish)

Regular price $299.99
Regular price Sale price $299.99
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Size

Low stock: 2 left

Remarks:  Tetraodon mbu, also known as mbu pufferfish or giant pufferfish, are the largest freshwater species of pufferfish in the world. While the average size of an adult captive puffer is already a colossal 22-24 inches in length, T. mbu are capable of growing up to 30 inches! They have a beautiful dark brown or black maze-like pattern on a yellow or tan body. Combined with their orange or red eyes, they can be a very beautiful species of pufferfish. Not only are they a nice-looking fish, T. mbu are very active and intelligent with intricate personalities. Many quickly learn to recognize their owner from across the room and hurry over to beg for food and attention upon seeing them. Like any puffer, they love and require being fed hard shelled crustaceans and mollusks such as shrimp, crayfish, clams, and snails. Very rarely, a puffer may take to dried/prepared foods, but even if they do, they will still need these fresh foods to keep their ever-growing beaks ground down to a manageable length.

  Many fall in love with T. mbu after learning about them but unfortunately, they are not a fish suited for beginners or those without large aquariums. Their high levels of activity, territorial disposition, high amount of waste production, and massive adult size means that these puffers need giant tanks to be able to thrive. If large, frequent water changes are provided along with heavy filtration, it is possible to keep an mbu puffer in a tank of around 350 gallons. However, it is far better to choose an aquarium of at least 500 gallons or more with a large footprint to allow for plenty of swimming space. Being native to the Congo River and the east coast of Lake Tanganyika, they prefer their parameters to be more alkaline and hard with plenty of dissolved oxygen. Any kind of sharp or pointed décor should be avoided in the tank as the T. mbu can harm itself if it gets spooked and darts. Instead, opt for more soft and rounded options such as live plants and soft sand for the puffer to bury in. Considering their digging habits, plants that grow on structures rather than in the substrate such as Anubias are a good choice to add not only enrichment and hiding spaces, but also to help increase water quality.

  Despite their cute demeanor and seemingly friendly behavior toward their owners, T. mbu are highly predatory with a beak capable of biting chunks out of other fish. They will be especially aggressive toward other pufferfish as they see them as competition. As they are the natural prey of T. mbu, any kind of crustacean or mollusk is almost certainly going to be hunted down if housed with them. Sometimes small, fast swimming fish such as small danios and barbs can be kept with T. mbu, but only if given plenty of space and hiding spots to escape from the puffer. At times, there can be puffers that have a more mild disposition and don’t intentionally attack tankmates, but this does not mean that these other fish will be totally safe. Because T. mbu have their eyes become further apart as they grow, they get larger blind spots. This combined with their voracious feeding behaviors can result in a tankmate getting bitten by accident during feeding time. With how sharp and powerful the beaks of T. mbu are, even just one accidental bite can spell disaster. For these reasons, these giant pufferfish are best kept and enjoyed alone. They certainly make all their needs worth it, however, as they earned the nickname of “water puppy” for a reason with their outgoing personalities that melt the hearts of just about any fish keeper.

Animal Data

  • Native to: Africa
  • Breeding: Wild-caught in Africa
  • Max adult size: 23-24"
  • Diet: Carnivore
  • Social behavior: Solitary
  • Care skill: Advanced

Tank Parameters

  • Temp range: 75°F - 82°F
  • pH range: 7.2 - 8.2
  • TDS range: 150 ppm - 300 ppm
  • Min Tank Size: 350 gal

Shipping Info

We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.

US Zone 1 UPS/FedEx Overnight $39.99
US Zone 2 UPS/FedEx Overnight $49.99
US Zone 3 UPS/FedEx Overnight $59.99
US Zone 4 UPS/FedEx Overnight
$69.99
Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air Starts at $89.99
Canada  UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air Starts at $89.99
Florida UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground $19.99
Local pickup Select at checkout No charge
No overseas shipping

Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.

Important order and shipping info

Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.

Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.

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Why buy from us?

Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee

We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!

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Watch how we prepare your animals for shipping

Ordering FAQs

Will my fish look like the picture?

The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.

How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?

Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.

How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!

We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.

How much does shipping cost?

We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.

US Zone 1 UPS/FedEx Overnight $39.99
US Zone 2 UPS/FedEx Overnight $49.99
US Zone 3 UPS/FedEx Overnight $59.99
US Zone 4 UPS/FedEx Overnight
$69.99
Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air Starts at $89.99
Canada  UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air Starts at $89.99
Florida UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground $19.99
Local pickup Select at checkout No charge
No overseas shipping

Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.

Important order and shipping info

Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.

Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.

When will I get my order?

We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.

What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?

We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.

However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.

Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?

Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.

Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?

We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.

What if my order is missing something?

First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.

Do you offer pickup on local orders?

Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.

What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?

97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee