denise
08-12-2008, 04:37 PM
Toadfish are a family of odd toad-like looking fish. There are more than 60 species worldwide, all are bottom-feeding shallow water fish. Toadfish have a flattened broad head, with various barbels and spiny protrusions from their cheeks. Their mouth is enormous and contains many sharp teeth. Toadfish have a cryptic body coloration that helps them blend in perfectly with sandy and muddy bottoms, thus avoiding detection from both their predators and prey. They are ambush predators, waiting patiently in hiding for their prey to come swimming along, and reach out to grab small fish and crustaceans completely by surprise. Toadfish are known for their ability to sing, males use their swim bladder to produce loud foghorn sounds that attract females to them in mating season.
The most common toadfish in Florida is the Oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau, which feeds on American oysters, worms, shrimps, crabs, worms, and small fish. They use their strong teeth and jaws to crush the hard shells of oysters, and to fight with other oyster toadfish! They need very little food to survive and have an uncanny ability to withstand pollution. They can live happily and healthily amongst litter, they are commonly seen inside submerged tires or tin cans.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/OysterToadfish4kevin.jpg
Oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau, Blue Heron Beach
Photo courtesy of Kevin Redfield
The most common toadfish in Florida is the Oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau, which feeds on American oysters, worms, shrimps, crabs, worms, and small fish. They use their strong teeth and jaws to crush the hard shells of oysters, and to fight with other oyster toadfish! They need very little food to survive and have an uncanny ability to withstand pollution. They can live happily and healthily amongst litter, they are commonly seen inside submerged tires or tin cans.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/OysterToadfish4kevin.jpg
Oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau, Blue Heron Beach
Photo courtesy of Kevin Redfield