Origin
Endemic to the Congo River Basin in Central Africa, especially in slow-moving or stagnant tributaries and shallow pools.

Visual & Functional Appeal
This puffer sports vivid red-orange to brown coloring with variable mottling. It can dramatically change color to match substrate and uses a unique ambush pose—flattened against the floor, eyes up. Its quirky movement and powerful personality make it a showpiece in any species-only setup.

Purpose
A fascinating specimen fish, it adds life, intelligence, and interaction to a dedicated setup. Its ambush style keeps substrate zones interesting and encourages natural hunting behaviors.

Importance
Highly interactive and expressive, this puffer builds a bond with its keeper. Ideal for experienced aquarists wanting a unique, predatory species with high personality and low tolerance for tank mates.

Included Resources
Needs a sand substrate for burrowing. Gentle filtration with minimal flow is ideal. Enrichment includes caves, tunnels, and varied textures. Feed with tongs or place food near hiding zones. Snails, worms, and frozen fish are ideal.

Best Use Cases
Species-only tanks focused on personality and observation. Often kept in 20–30 gallon setups with natural decor. Perfect for oddball collectors and behavior-focused aquarists.

Conservation Context
Wild populations may be sensitive to overharvesting and pollution in the Congo. Wild collection should be monitored for sustainability. Choose captive-held when possible.

Ideal Tank Mates
Not recommended. Best kept alone due to aggressive and territorial nature.

Region (A)
• Latitude: -3.7345° S
• Longitude: 14.8649° E
(Upper Congo Basin, Democratic Republic of Congo)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 0.4818° N
• Longitude: 15.2663° E
(Cuvette Centrale, Congo River floodplain)