The fish has sloping, thin, brown and white lines on the head and body curving toward the tail.

In spite of its small size, this fish is known to make unprovoked attacks on humans, the inspiration for the common name ferocious pufferfish.

[3] One such attack near Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia, caused severe damage to the toes of a five-year-old boy.

[4] This fish "inhabits shallow inshore waters and offshore soft bottoms.

Highly toxic and is responsible for amputation of swimmers toes.