Along the shifting floodplains of the Lower Mekong, Pao turgidus lives by rhythm rather than chase. It moves when the water moves and waits when it slows, blending completely with the riverbed until a flicker of motion betrays its prey. To keep it well is to capture that balance of stillness and flow.

In 2013, a wave of molecular research reshaped the pufferfish family tree. Genera once grouped under Tetraodon were split into Pao, Dichotomyctere, and Leiodon, revealing deep evolutionary divides hidden by outward similarity. This landmark reclassification transformed both science and the aquarium hobby, marking the moment when modern genetics redefined how we understand pufferfish lineage and identity.

In the wild, many pufferfish are opportunistic predators, relying on movement to trigger their hunting instincts. They chase down crabs, hunt for worms, and even ambush small fish, crunching them apart with their powerful bites. When suddenly placed in an aquarium and presented with prepared foods, many puffers simply don’t recognise these items as edible.

Many species of freshwater, brackish and marine pufferfish bury themselves into the substrate. This behaviour is known as "wallowing" and...