Ĭarinotetraodon is a polyphyletic genus, meaning members do not necessarily share an immediate common ancestor but have been grouped based on common characteristics. Specifically, dwarf pufferfish possess vertebral modifications and a reduced number of total vertebrae similar to other members of Carinotetraodon, in addition to a small size and the presence of sexual dimorphism, also found amongst other members of this genus.
PUFFER FISH SMALL SKIN
The justification for moving to Carinotetraodon was based largely on osteological evidence and not on the presence of skin keels, which other members of the genus have, but which had not been confirmed in dwarf pufferfish until one year later in aquarium literature. " Carinotetraodon" is derived from the Latin word " carina" (keel-shaped, shell) and Greek words " tetra" (four) and " odous" (teeth). Kottelat when first describing Carinotetraodon imitator, a superficially similar and closely related species previously mistaken for dwarf pufferfish. The first use of "Carinotetraodon travancoricus" was in 1999 by R. Tyler treated it as a valid genus in a paper about Carinotetraodon lorteti, which was an opinion followed by M. Carinotetraodon was considered a synonym of Tetraodon until 1978, when J.C. Nair, with the type locality given as " Pamba River, Central Travancore". The dwarf pufferfish was first described as Tetraodon (Monotretus) travancoricus in 1941 by S.L. Habitat loss and overharvesting for the aquarium trade threaten wild populations of dwarf pufferfish. They breed throughout most of the year, with spawning pairs producing 1-5 eggs in 1-4 day intervals. Unlike other species of pufferfish, they are found in large groups in the wild. imitator was not recognised as a different species until 1999.ĭwarf pufferfish dwell at the bottom of heavily vegetated waterways, predating small animals.
They closely resemble the related Carinotetraodon imitator, and the two can be difficult to distinguish. At a maximum length of 3.5 cm, dwarf pufferfish are one of the smallest pufferfish in the world. They are popular in aquaria for their bright colours and small size.
The dwarf pufferfish ( Carinotetraodon travancoricus), also known as the Malabar pufferfish, pygmy pufferfish, or pea pufferfish, is a small freshwater pufferfish endemic to Kerala and southern Karnataka in Southwest India.
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