TETRAODONTIDAE Chelonodon patoca, 4.2 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Chelonodon patoca (Hamilton, 1822) Milkspotted Puffer D 10; A 8; P1 15-16. A patch of spinules on back from behind interorbital nearly to dorsal fin and another on throat and abdomen. Nasal organ in the form of a depression with slightly raised margin expanded before and behind into a pair of elongate flaps. Color: greenish-gray to brown on back with large round to ovate white spots, a broad yellow band running from chin to lower caudal-fin base. Size: maximum to 20 cm. Distribution: tropical eastern Indian Ocean including India and Sri Lanka and West Pacific from Thailand to French Polynesia, northward to southern Japan and southward to northern Australia; usually found inshore, frequently in brackish waters. Remarks: occurring commonly in mangrove areas.