Home · Batrachoididae · Humpback toadfish

Humpback toadfish

Chatrabus melanurus
LC · Least Concern

The Humpback toadfish (Chatrabus melanurus) is a saltwater fish of the family Batrachoididae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
120.0–600.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeast Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The humpback toadfish is a toadfish from the southeast Atlantic, along the coast of southern Africa. The species grows to about 26 cm and has a stocky body with a broad, flattened head, a large mouth and a somewhat humped back. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among stones and in crevices of shallow coastal water and ambushes small fish and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Humpback toadfish?

The Humpback toadfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Broad flattened head with a large mouth; buried ambush predator

Where does the Humpback toadfish live?

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

How big does the Humpback toadfish get?

The Humpback toadfish grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Humpback toadfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Humpback toadfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Humpback toadfish edible?

The Humpback toadfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Humpback toadfish verified
Scientific name
Chatrabus melanurus
Family
Batrachoididae
Other names
Humpback toadfish; Pony toadfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
120.0 verified
Max depth (m)
600.0 verified
Natural range
Southeast Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Concealed ambush toadfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Broad flattened head with a large mouth; buried ambush predator sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Batrachoididae

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