Is Milkspotted puffer edible?

Milkspotted puffer is not considered an edible species for human consumption.

Is Milkspotted puffer venomous?

Milkspotted puffer is venomous. Venom is delivered via dorsal, anal, and pelvic fin spines. First aid: Immerse affected area in hot water (45 C, tolerable) for 30-90 minutes to denature toxin. Do not apply ice.

How big does Milkspotted puffer get?

Milkspotted puffer can reach up to 38 cm in length.

Is Milkspotted puffer endangered?

Milkspotted puffer is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

What does Milkspotted puffer eat?

Milkspotted puffer feeds on aquatic invertebrates, small fish, algae, detritus.

Where is Milkspotted puffer found?

Milkspotted puffer is found in Diadromous environments. Depth range: 4-60 m.

Can Milkspotted puffer be kept in an aquarium?

Milkspotted puffer is not typically kept in home aquariums.

Diadromous Least Concern ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Poisonous to eat 🌡️ Tropical

Milkspotted puffer

Chelonodon patoca Hamilton, 1822

← All Species

Max Length

38 cm

Max Weight

Lifespan

Trophic Level

3.1

Depth

4–60 m

Climate

Tropical

Resilience

Medium

Vulnerability

38.00/100

Typical Length

Depth Zone

reef

📖 Overview

Inhabits coastal waters and enters the lower reaches of rivers and lagoons . Occurs on sand and mudflats, usually in estuaries . 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 .

Scientific Name

Chelonodon patoca

Authority

Hamilton, 1822

Habitat

Diadromous

Climate

Tropical

Body Shape

Short and / or deep

IUCN Status

Max Length

38 cm

Depth Range

4–60 m

Latitude

35°S – 39°N

Trophic Level

3.1

Resilience

Medium

Vulnerability

38.00/100

Migration

Anadromous

Water Temp

23–28 °C

Salinity

30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Pufferfishes and allies

Species

Milkspotted puffer

Chelonodon patoca

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10. Body covered with prickles . : short and / or deep.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Milkspotted puffer is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates

small fish

algae

detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous

Oviparous .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; freshwater; brackish; reef-associated; anadromous ; depth range 4 - 60 m . Tropical; 23°C - 28°C ; 39°N - 35°S, 20°E - 150°E East Africa to the Admiralty Islands, New Britain and Trobiand Islands, north to China, south to northern Australia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences

🌊 Marine 💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish 🪸 Reef Associated

Migration

Anadromous

Trophic Level

3.1±0.4

🐠 Schooling

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.0263 × L^2.88 (TL)

Max TL

38cm

Dorsal Rays

Anal Rays

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range

23–28°C

Salinity Range

30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category

Least Concern

Assessment Date

2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience

Medium

Minimum doubling time

Fishing Vulnerability

38.00/100

Moderate vulnerability

Trophic Level

3.1

Predator

Body Shape

Short and / or deep

Climate Zone

Tropical

Latitude Range

39°N – 35°S

Described By

Hamilton, 1822

⚠️ Venom Profile

Medical Warning: This species is venomous. Seek immediate medical attention if envenomated. Contact emergency services and follow first aid guidance below.

Venom Type

proteinaceous neurotoxin

Delivery

dorsal, anal, and pelvic fin spines

Potency

Severe

Mortality Risk

Low

Symptom Onset

5min

Duration

24.0hrs

Antivenom

✗ Not Available

Named Toxins

high-molecular-weight protein (Stonustoxin analogue) acetylcholine

Symptoms

immediate intense pain
swelling
erythema
occasional nausea and weakness

Affected Body Systems

peripheral nervous system cardiovascular

First Aid

Immerse affected area in hot water (45 C, tolerable) for 30-90 minutes to denature toxin. Do not apply ice.

Medical Treatment

Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.

References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language	Common Names
🇬🇧English	Bengal Reticulated Puffer · marbled toado · Milkspotted puffer
🇯🇵Japanese	オキナワフグ
🇷🇺Russian	молочнопятнистый иглобрюх · Хелонодон пестрый (попугайный)

🔍 Similar Species

Brown-backed Toadfish

Lagocephalus gloveri

DD Marine

Half-smooth golden pufferfish

Lagocephalus spadiceus

Marine

Smooth puffer

Lagocephalus laevigatus

Marine

Oceanic puffer

Lagocephalus lagocephalus

Marine

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 50 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations

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View all observations for Milkspotted puffer ↗

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Quick Facts

Scientific NameChelonodon patoca

AuthorityHamilton, 1822

Habitat Diadromous

ClimateTropical

Body ShapeShort and / or deep

IUCN StatusLC

Max Length38 cm

Max Weight-

Lifespan-

Depth4–60 m

Latitude 35° S – 39° N

ResilienceMedium

Vulnerability 38.00/100

Trophic Level3.1

🔗 External Resources

🐠 FishBase ↗ 🌍 GBIF ↗ 📖 Wikipedia ↗