Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa eastward to Indonesia and northward to Japan, including South Korea

Size: up to 20 inches (50 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit weedy areas near sandy lagoon and rocky areas from a depth of a few feet (1 m) to well over 100 feet (30 m)

General Husbandry: Prefer a temperature range of 72 - 79°F (22 - 26°C). Feeds upon benthic creatures, e.g., crustaceans, mollusks, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs, and some marine plants/algae. Blows away sand in the hunt for prey. Requires a varied diet that contains both meaty and vegetable matter with numerous daily feedings. A slow moving fish, therefore, it should not be housed with fast moving and/or fin-nipping fishes. Capable of releasing a toxin when older that may kill all fishes in the aquarium including itself. Stress from tankmates, competition during feeding, little swimming room can cause the release. Activated carbon will remove the toxin, however, it's usually too late to save it or its tankmates once it happens.

Aquarium Suitability: * * & * * * *