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Family
Batrachoididae (Toadfishes)
Species Currently in the DFL
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About This Family
Distribution:
Tropical and temperate areas of the world’s oceans, with a few species in freshwater.
Habitat:
Bottom-dwelling, ranging from very shallow to deeper waters on sand or mud bottoms although one genus (Sanopus) occurs in coral reefs.
Anatomy
Kidneys lack glomeruli.
Remarks:
Toadfishes have large heads and usually strong jaws. The eyes are on or near the top of the head and generally upward directed. The diet is typically marine invertebrates and other fishes.
Some species in this family are bioluminescent, some of the few nearshore fishes in the world capable of producing light. Some toadfishes have hollow spines connected to venom glands and can produce extremely painful wounds. Some species can produce loud sounds with their swim bladders (known to waken house boaters) and can live for several hours removed from water.
There are three subfamilies, the Batrachoidinae with 18 genera and about 52 species, the Porichthyinae with two genera and 15 species, and the Thalassophyrninae with two genera and 11 species.
References:
Collette, pp. 1026-1042, in: Carpenter 2002;
Nelson 2006