Growing to a length of 9–11.5 cm (3.5–4.5 in),[2] the species features a slightly rounded, globular body plan that tapers into a teardrop towards the tail; a design often seen in puffers.

this brownish-green body plan features scaleless skin that may oftentimes change color depending on environmental conditions and possible stress responses within the individual fish.

These features include largely independently moving eyes, the ability to inflate their body and puff up as a defense mechanism, and a sharp beak composed of fused teeth that allow them to crack open their prey, which generally consists of insects and shelled organisms.

Moreover, they contain the most distinctive feature of Tetraodon, which is tetrodotoxin, a neurotoxin that is enveloped within the skin and internal organs of the fish, although the species is not nearly as toxic as others of its shared genus.

Due to the demersal nature of the species, these fish are found within the large river systems where they can feed on benthic invertebrates, predominantly insects and mollusks.

These fish are also strictly freshwater, making their environment more unique when compared to most other pufferfish, which are usually suited towards brackish or marine ecosystems.

As a result of exports in wild caught fish being drastically reduced during the Congo Crisis and other events of civil war in the region, the species virtually disappeared from the fishkeeping hobby.

Understandably, this character combined with the small-sized and pure freshwater environment that make the T. schoutedeni such a popular species in the hobby.

Given the political turmoil that made accessibility of this fish limited for the pet industry, in captivity breeding efforts have developed greatly to better understand and distribute these pufferfish.

In this unique case for this African freshwater puffer, a female can initiate in a pair or even trio with two males clung to its stomach.

Upon leaving the egg, the larvae continue to form their fin folds, mouth and anus using the large yolk sac as a nutrition source.

However, due to the modern ability of aquarium hobbyists and researchers to breed this unique species, the Tetraodon Schoutedeni population in captivity appears to be relatively stable.