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Western frogfish toadfish (Batrachomoeus occidentalis) — Batrachoididae

Western frogfish toadfish

Batrachomoeus occidentalis

The Western frogfish toadfish (Batrachomoeus occidentalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Batrachoididae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury

Description

The western frogfish toadfish is a toadfish (Batrachoididae) from shallow coastal and estuarine water of western Australia. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a stocky body with a large, broad head, a wide mouth with fleshy flaps and high-set eyes. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in burrows, crevices and under stones and snaps from ambush at crustaceans, molluscs and small fish; males make a humming courtship sound. The sharp dorsal and gill-cover spines can give a puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Western frogfish toadfish?

The Western frogfish toadfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Western frogfish toadfish live?

The Western frogfish toadfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Western frogfish toadfish get?

The Western frogfish toadfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Western frogfish toadfish dangerous to humans?

The Western frogfish toadfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Westelijke padvis sourced
English name
Western frogfish toadfish sourced
Scientific name
Batrachomoeus occidentalis
Family
Batrachoididae
Other names
Western frogfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Batrachomoeus

More from the family Batrachoididae

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