Origin
Native to coastal rivers, estuaries, and tidal zones of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Long, sinuous body with a golden-brown base overlaid by irregular black spots and bars. Its cryptic movements, sudden bursts of energy, and expressive face make it a mesmerizing predator in the right tank.

Purpose
A true showstopper species—used to anchor exotic or brackish displays. Helps control small live feeders and adds dramatic motion. Not recommended for typical community tanks.

Importance
Despite being sold as a freshwater fish, it does best in lightly brackish setups. Keeping it long-term requires attention to salinity, escape-proof lids, and a strong feeding regimen.

Included Resources
Requires tight-fitting lid, sandy or soft substrate, rocky caves or PVC tubes for shelter, and low to moderate flow. Ideal parameters: Temp 75–82°F, pH 7.4–8.2, SG 1.005–1.015 (brackish).

Best Use Cases
Brackish predator tanks, biotope aquaria, or specialized displays with other large, robust species. Must be kept alone or with large, armored fish.

Conservation Context
Wild-caught specimens are common due to low availability in captive breeding. Coastal development and pollution in Southeast Asia threaten its native estuarine habitats.

Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Monos
• Scats
• Archerfish
• Columbian sharks (Arius spp.)
• Brackish gobies and moray-safe tankmates

Region (A)
• Latitude: 0.7893° S
• Longitude: 113.9213° E
(Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo – brackish estuaries)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 8.7832° S
• Longitude: 125.7275° E
(Coastal East Timor – river mouths and tidal creeks)