Toadfishes: Batrachoidiformes - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Oyster Toadfish (opsanus Tau): Species Account - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, TOADFISHES AND PEOPLE, CONSERVATION STATUS

OYSTER TOADFISH (Opsanus tau): SPECIES ACCOUNT

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Toadfishes live all over the world.

HABITAT

Toadfishes live in saltwater from shoreline waters with a low salt content down to deep sea water, about 1,200 feet (366 meters). These fishes sometimes enter rivers. Their camouflage allows toadfishes to blend with the bottom, where they bury themselves and ambush their prey, or animals caught for food. One species lives in the sand under coral heads.

DIET

In addition to ambushing their prey, toadfishes move about feeding on invertebrates, or animals without backbones, such as crabs, shrimps, mollusks (MAH-lusks), and sea urchins. Some eat fish, and some eat plankton. Mollusks are animals with a soft, unsegmented body usually covered by a hard shell, such as snails and clams. Plankton are microscopic plants and animals drifting in water.

TOADFISHES AND PEOPLE

Large toadfishes are eaten. One species is collected and sold in the aquarium business. Another species is used in laboratory studies. Venomous toadfishes can inflict pain if handled.

CONSERVATION STATUS

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists five species of toadfishes as Vulnerable, or facing high risk of extinction in the wild.