Biology:Common toadfish

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Short description: Species of fish

Common toadfish
Common Toadfish.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Family: Tetraodontidae
Genus: Tetractenos
Species:
T. hamiltoni
Binomial name
Tetractenos hamiltoni
(J. Richardson, 1846)

The common toadfish (Tetractenos hamiltoni), also known as the common toado, toadfish or toado,[2] (formerly classified as Tetrodon hamiltoni[3][4] or Torquigener hamiltoni) is a species of fish in the family Tetraodontidae of order Tetraodontiformes, found along Australia 's eastern coast, from northern Queensland to Flinders Island, and around Lord Howe Island,[2] as well as in New Zealand waters. It often buries itself in sand with only its eyes exposed.[5]

The fish is sandy to whitish in colour, with small brown spots over most of the back and upper sides, and brown bars and blotches beneath.[6] It has a maximum length of 14 centimetres (5.5 in).[5] It is similar in appearance to the smooth toadfish, but has smaller spots and more prominent spines in the skin.[6]

Like some other fish, the common toadfish is able to vary the amount of pigment in its cornea, which becomes yellow in colour under bright light.[7]

It is (rarely) used as an aquarium fish for brackish-water aquariums. Along with related toadfish species, it is known in Australia as a "toadie."[citation needed]

As with other fish of this family, the flesh is poisonous, due to tetrodotoxin, and eating the fish can have fatal consequences.[8]

See also

  • Aquarium fishery
  • Smooth toadfish, Tetractenos glaber
  • List of brackish aquarium fish species

References

Wikidata ☰ Q2680881 entry