Toadfishes |
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Scientific classification |
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Genera |
Subfamily Batrachoidinae
Amphichthys
Austrobatrachus
Barchatus
Batrichthys
Batrachoides
Batrachomoeus
Chatrabus
Halobatrachus
Halophryne
Opsanus
Perulibatrachus
Riekertia
Sanopus
Tharbacus
Triathalassothia
Subfamily Porichthyinae
Aphos
Porichthys
Subfamily Thalassophryninae
Daector
Thalassophryne |
The toadfishes are a type of
ray-finned fish normally found on the sand and mud
bottoms of coastal waters worldwide, notable for somewhat
broad heads and drab coloration reminiscent of terrestrial
toads, as well as for the ability of some species to
"sing" using their
swim bladders. They are normally classified as the sole
family Batrachoididae of the
order Batrachoidiformes, and include about 70
species in 19 genera, among them the common
oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau.
Toadfishes are usually scaleless, with eyes set high on
large heads. Their mouths are also large, with both maxilla
and premaxilla. The pelvic fins are forward of the pectoral
fins, usually under the gills, and have one spine with several soft rays.
Almost all are marine, but Daector quadrizonatus
and Thalassophryne amazonica are known from
Colombia (Atrato River) and the Amazon River, respectively.
Toadfishes of the genus Porichthys, the
midshipman fishes, have photophores and four lateral lines,
while the Thalassophryninae are venomous, with a total of
four hollow spines (two dorsal and one on each opercle) connecting to venom glands and capable of
delivering a painful wound. That will mess you up.
Reference
External link