Crowned Toby

The Crowned Toby is one of the larger members of the Canthigaster genus, reaching up to 5.5 inches in captivity. It gets its common name from the distinctive dark crown-like marking on the top of its head, complemented by bold brown saddle bars across a lighter cream to white body. Fine blue lines and spots adorn the face and lower body, creating an attractive overall pattern that makes it popular among puffer enthusiasts.

In the wild, the Crowned Toby inhabits outer reef slopes and lagoons in the western Pacific, typically found at moderate depths among coral rubble and reef structures. It patrols a relatively small territory, feeding on a variety of benthic invertebrates, algae, and encrusting organisms. Like other Canthigaster species, it possesses the tetrodotoxin defense common to pufferfish, making it unpalatable to most predators.

In the aquarium, the Crowned Toby is a hardy and personable species that adapts well to captive conditions. Its slightly larger size compared to most tobies means it requires a minimum of 50 gallons and can hold its own with moderately sized tankmates. It is curious, interactive, and quickly learns to associate its keeper with feeding time. As with all toby puffers, it is not reef-safe and will readily consume invertebrates and nip at corals. A fish-only or fish-only-with-live-rock system is the most appropriate setup.