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Reticulated toadfish (Daector reticulata) — Batrachoididae

Reticulated toadfish

Daector reticulata
VU · Vulnerable

The Reticulated toadfish (Daector reticulata) is a saltwater fish of the family Batrachoididae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Eastern Pacific; shallow coastal waters over soft bottoms.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The reticulate toadfish is a toadfish of the family Batrachoididae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 27 cm and has a stocky body with a broad, flat head, a large mouth and a net-like pattern. It inhabits shallow coastal waters over soft bottoms. As a bottom ambush predator it often lies hidden and seizes small fishes and crustaceans. Both the gill-cover and dorsal spines bear venom glands; a sting gives a painful wound, so handle the fish with care. Owing to a restricted range the species is listed as Vulnerable (VU).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Reticulated toadfish?

The Reticulated toadfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Net-like markings and venom glands on the opercular and dorsal fin spines; vulnerable (VU) toadfish.

Where does the Reticulated toadfish live?

The Reticulated toadfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; shallow coastal waters over soft bottoms.

How big does the Reticulated toadfish get?

The Reticulated toadfish grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Reticulated toadfish dangerous to humans?

The Reticulated toadfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. The fin spines are venomous and give a painful, burning puncture wound. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical care if pain or infection persists.

Is the Reticulated toadfish edible?

The Reticulated toadfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Reticulated toadfish (Daector reticulata) — Batrachoididae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Zoological Society of London. (Public domain)

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All data

Identification

English name
Reticulated toadfish verified
Scientific name
Daector reticulata
Family
Batrachoididae
Other names
Toadfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Marbled
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Superior (upward)
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; shallow coastal waters over soft bottoms.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Net-like markings and venom glands on the opercular and dorsal fin spines; vulnerable (VU) toadfish. sourced

For anglers

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

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous sourced
First aid
The fin spines are venomous and give a painful, burning puncture wound. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical care if pain or infection persists. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Daector

More from the family Batrachoididae

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