Pao abei

Pao abei
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Tetraodontidae
Genus: Pao
Species:
P. abei
Binomial name
Pao abei
Synonyms
  • Tetraodon abei T. R. Roberts, 1998
  • Monotrete abei (T. R. Roberts, 1998)

Pao abei is a species of freshwater pufferfish from the Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong river basins in Southeast Asia. It is named after Japanese ichthyologist Tokiharu Abe.

They are molluscivores, using the beak-like teeth to break open the shell of the prey. They are also opportunistic piscivores.

Maximum length is 10.3 centimetres (4.1 in) SL. Numerous pale spots are uniformly distributed over a dark background. The spots are orange in certain live specimens.

In the aquarium this fish is very aggressive and territorial.

They are closely related to Pao leiurus.