Home · Batrachoididae · Leopard Toadfish
Leopard Toadfish (Opsanus pardus) — Batrachoididae

Leopard Toadfish

Opsanus pardus
LC · Least Concern

The Leopard Toadfish (Opsanus pardus) is a saltwater fish of the family Batrachoididae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The leopard toadfish is a stocky bottom fish of the family Batrachoididae from the western Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. The species has a broad, flattened head, a large mouth and a brown body with a striking leopard-like spotted pattern, and reaches about 38 cm. It lives on deeper rocky reefs, where it stays half-hidden and ambushes crustaceans, molluscs and small fishes. Toadfishes can produce humming sounds with their swim bladder. The male guards the clutch in a cavity.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Leopard Toadfish?

The Leopard Toadfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Leopard Toadfish live?

The Leopard Toadfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Leopard Toadfish get?

The Leopard Toadfish grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Leopard Toadfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Leopard Toadfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Leopard Toadfish edible?

The Leopard Toadfish is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Luipaard-padvis sourced
English name
Leopard Toadfish verified
Scientific name
Opsanus pardus
Family
Batrachoididae
Other names
Leopard toadfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Opsanus

More from the family Batrachoididae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →