Chelonodontops leopardus (Day, 1878)
Banded leopard blowfish
photo by Zeena, K.V.

Family:  Tetraodontidae (Puffers), subfamily: Tetraodontinae
Max. size:  11.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: India and Myanmar.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal soft rays: 8-9; Vertebrae: 20-20. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal surface of body with spinules from interorbital region to just dorsal, to midpoint between pectoral-fn and dorsal-fin origins; nasal organ has two divided flat skin flaps, almost equal in size. Colouration: dorsal half of body greenish brown with many small white spots; dorsal side of head and body with three crossing dark brown bars, the first on interorbital region, second just dorsal to gill opening, while the third around dorsal-fin base; ventral surface of the body white; iris is light yellow; dorsal, anal and pectoral fins are dusky, while caudal fin is dark brown with several rows of vertical white spots (Ref. 126647).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 07 June 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.