Milkspotted Puffer (Indo Form)

Chelonodon patoca from the Indian coast represents the Indian Ocean population of this widespread Indo-Pacific brackish puffer. It is distinguished by smaller, denser cream-white spots on a warmer olive-brown dorsum compared to Pacific populations. Adults are fully brackish-dependent and should be maintained at a specific gravity of 1.005–1.010. A large aquarium is necessary given its adult size of around 28 cm; it will readily consume smaller fish and invertebrates. Substrate should be sand or fine gravel to allow resting behaviour, and robust rock and mangrove root décor provides environmental enrichment. This species is occasionally imported as juveniles that appear greener and more spotted than adults.

Water: Brackish, SG 1.005–1.010, temperature 24–28°C, pH 7.5–8.5; excellent filtration; large water changes weekly. Tank: 300 L minimum; sandy substrate, rock or mangrove root décor; protein skimmer beneficial at higher SG. Feeding: Mussels, clams, crab legs, large snails, whole shrimp; beak maintenance critical at adult size. Breeding: No captive records; estuarine spawner in nature. Compatibility: Aggressive; single specimen; do not combine with other species in standard aquarium.