Origin
Widespread across the Indo-Pacific region, including coastal areas of East Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Northern Australia. Inhabits coral reefs, sandy flats, and lagoons at shallow to moderate depths.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Gray to pale body covered in distinctive white or black star-like spots that vary with age and region. As juveniles, they have brighter, more contrasted patterns that fade as they grow. Thick-bodied and powerful, they move with calm authority.

Purpose
Used as a show-stopping solitary predator in extra-large marine tanks. Adds motion and grandeur to predator-focused or species-only aquaria. Its personality and appearance make it a memorable focal animal.

Importance
Due to its size (can exceed 3 feet in the wild), it's a rare species in home aquaria but prominent in public and professional displays. Offers insight into marine predator behavior, enrichment needs, and long-term puffer care.

Included Resources
Requires a minimum 500-gallon tank, powerful filtration, protein skimmer, UV sterilizer, and stable marine parameters. Must be kept in secure tanks with ample swimming space and some shaded zones.

Best Use Cases
Ideal for public aquariums, predator-themed marine setups, or ultra-large home systems. Not suitable for reef tanks or mixed-species community tanks. Compatible only with other very large, robust marine predators.

Conservation Context
Not considered endangered, but susceptible to overfishing in some regions due to demand and slow growth. Long-lived species with strong site fidelity in the wild—ethical sourcing matters.

Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Large triggerfish
• Moray eels
• Groupers
• Snappers
Avoid: any small or slow-moving fish, crustaceans, or delicate inverts

Region (A)
• Latitude: 15.8700° N
• Longitude: 100.9925° E
(Thailand, Andaman Sea region)

Region (B)
• Latitude: -20.0000° S
• Longitude: 148.0000° E
(Great Barrier Reef, Australia)