TETRAODONTIDAE Arothron hispidus, 5.0 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Arothron hispidus (Linnaeus, 1758) Stars and Stripes Puffer D 10-11; A 10-11; P1 17-19. Head and body covered with small spinules except for snout and posterior part of caudal peduncle. Nasal organ with 2 bifid fleshy flaps. Color: body greenish brown with many white spots dorsally, becoming white ventrally with curved dark stripes; pectoral-fin base and gill opening alternatively circled by black and white lines. Size: maximum 48 cm, commonly to 30 cm. Distribution: tropical Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific, north to southern Japan. Remarks: feeding on various benthic organisms.