CHELONODONTOPS PATOCA - (HAMILTON, 1822)
Picture courtesy of: Yves Thévenet
Actinopterygii (Gigaclass) > Actinopteri (Class) > Teleostei (Subclass) > Tetraodontiformes (Order) > Tetraodontoidei (Suborder) > Tetraodontidae (Family) > Chelonodontops (Genus)
Milkspot toadfish, Gangetic blow fish, Gangetic pufferfish, Marbled toad, Marbled toado, Milkspotted puffer, Milkspotted toadfish, Milk-spotted toadfish, Mottled pufferfish, Okinawafugu, オキナワフグ, 凹鼻魨, Cá nóc răng rùa,
Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal soft rays: 8-10; Pectoral fin rays: 15-16; Body depth: 2.6-3.0 in SL; Eye diameter: 3.0-4.3 in HL; Snout: 2.2-2.4 in HL; Back evenly arched; Interorbital space flattened; Nasal organs appear as a round depression before the eyes with a low fleshy rim forming a short triangular flap on the front and rear edges. Skin mostly smooth with a patch of spinules on the back extending from behind the interorbital space nearly to dorsal-fin origin; Similar patches of spinules present on the throat and abdomen. Caudal fin truncate to slightly rounded. Max. length: 38.0 cm SL. Depth range: 4 - 60 m.
Color
A greyish to brownish puffer with silvery-white lower sides, large round or oval white spots, dark bands on the head and body, a broad yellow patch below the pectoral fin, and a pale yellowish tail.
Etymology
Chelonodontops: from Greek, chelone = turtle + from Greek, odous = teeth + from ancient Greek, óps = eye, face, appearance.
patoca: from Patoka, local name for puffers (this one is called the “great Patoka”) along the Ganges River estuaries of India.
Original description: Tetrodon patoca Hamilton, 1822 - Type locality: Ganges River estuaries, India.
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Madagascar, Persian Gulf, India and Sri Lanka east to French Polynesia, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia.
Biology
Usually found around the mouths of rivers or in brackish mangrove estuaries and sometimes penetrates fresh water, but is never found more than a few km from the sea. Often in schools and sometimes swims up freshwater streams. Considered a delicacy in Japan. Poisonous to eat.
Last update: 8, May 2022
Actinopterygii (Gigaclass) > Actinopteri (Class) > Teleostei (Subclass) > Tetraodontiformes (Order) > Tetraodontoidei (Suborder) > Tetraodontidae (Family) > Chelonodontops (Genus)
Milkspot toadfish, Gangetic blow fish, Gangetic pufferfish, Marbled toad, Marbled toado, Milkspotted puffer, Milkspotted toadfish, Milk-spotted toadfish, Mottled pufferfish, Okinawafugu, オキナワフグ, 凹鼻魨, Cá nóc răng rùa,
Synonymes
Arothron kappa (Bleeker, 1850)
Cheilichthys kappa (Bleeker, 1850)
Chelondon patoca (Hamilton, 1822)
Chelonodon kappa (Bleeker, 1850)
Chelonodon potoca (Hamilton, 1822)
Leiodon patoca (Hamilton, 1822)
Tetraodon kappa (Bleeker, 1850)
Tetraodon patoca (Hamilton, 1822)
Tetrodon dissutidens (Cantor, 1849)
Tetrodon patoca (Hamilton, 1822)
Cheilichthys kappa (Bleeker, 1850)
Chelondon patoca (Hamilton, 1822)
Chelonodon kappa (Bleeker, 1850)
Chelonodon potoca (Hamilton, 1822)
Leiodon patoca (Hamilton, 1822)
Tetraodon kappa (Bleeker, 1850)
Tetraodon patoca (Hamilton, 1822)
Tetrodon dissutidens (Cantor, 1849)
Tetrodon patoca (Hamilton, 1822)
-----------------------
Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal soft rays: 8-10; Pectoral fin rays: 15-16; Body depth: 2.6-3.0 in SL; Eye diameter: 3.0-4.3 in HL; Snout: 2.2-2.4 in HL; Back evenly arched; Interorbital space flattened; Nasal organs appear as a round depression before the eyes with a low fleshy rim forming a short triangular flap on the front and rear edges. Skin mostly smooth with a patch of spinules on the back extending from behind the interorbital space nearly to dorsal-fin origin; Similar patches of spinules present on the throat and abdomen. Caudal fin truncate to slightly rounded. Max. length: 38.0 cm SL. Depth range: 4 - 60 m.
Color
A greyish to brownish puffer with silvery-white lower sides, large round or oval white spots, dark bands on the head and body, a broad yellow patch below the pectoral fin, and a pale yellowish tail.
Etymology
Chelonodontops: from Greek, chelone = turtle + from Greek, odous = teeth + from ancient Greek, óps = eye, face, appearance.
patoca: from Patoka, local name for puffers (this one is called the “great Patoka”) along the Ganges River estuaries of India.
Original description: Tetrodon patoca Hamilton, 1822 - Type locality: Ganges River estuaries, India.
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Madagascar, Persian Gulf, India and Sri Lanka east to French Polynesia, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia.
Biology
Usually found around the mouths of rivers or in brackish mangrove estuaries and sometimes penetrates fresh water, but is never found more than a few km from the sea. Often in schools and sometimes swims up freshwater streams. Considered a delicacy in Japan. Poisonous to eat.
Last update: 8, May 2022