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Ocellated frogfish toadfish (Halophryne ocellatus) — Batrachoididae

Ocellated frogfish toadfish

Halophryne ocellatus

The Ocellated frogfish toadfish (Halophryne ocellatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Batrachoididae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The ocellated frogfish toadfish is a toadfish (Batrachoididae) from shallow reef and coastal water of the western Pacific around New Guinea and 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 eyespots on the body. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in burrows, crevices and under coral and snaps from ambush at crustaceans, molluscs and small fish. The sharp dorsal and gill-cover spines can give a puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ocellated frogfish toadfish?

The Ocellated frogfish toadfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care.

Where does the Ocellated frogfish toadfish live?

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

How big does the Ocellated frogfish toadfish get?

The Ocellated frogfish toadfish grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Ocellated frogfish toadfish dangerous to humans?

The Ocellated frogfish toadfish can cause injury; handle it with care. For a cut or puncture from a sharp head or fin spine: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Check that no spine fragment remains and watch for signs of infection; for a deep wound update tetanus protection.

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All data

Identification

English name
Ocellated frogfish toadfish sourced
Scientific name
Halophryne ocellatus
Family
Batrachoididae
Other names
Ocellated frogfish; Ocellate frogfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears sharp spines, plates or strong jaws that can cause cuts or puncture wounds; handle with care. inferred

For anglers

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
Can cause injury verified
First aid
For a cut or puncture from a sharp head or fin spine: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. Check that no spine fragment remains and watch for signs of infection; for a deep wound update tetanus protection. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Halophryne

More from the family Batrachoididae

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