Common toadfish
Encyclopedia
The common toadfish or common toado or toadfish or toado (Tetractenos hamiltoni, formerly classified as Tetrodon hamiltoni or Torquigener hamiltoni) is a species of fish in the Tetraodontidae family of order Tetraodontiformes
, found along Australia
's eastern coast, from northern Queensland
to Flinders Island
, and around Lord Howe Island
, as well as in New Zealand
waters. It often buries itself in sand with only its eyes exposed.
The fish is sandy to whitish in colour, with small brown spots over most of the back and upper sides, and brown bars and blotches beneath. It has a maximum length of 14 cm. It is similar in appearance to the smooth toadfish
, but has smaller spots and more prominent spines in the skin.
Like some other fish, the common toadfish is able to vary the amount of pigment in its cornea
, which becomes yellow in colour under bright light.
It is (rarely) used as an aquarium fish for brackish-water aquarium
s. Along with related toadfish species, it is known in Australia as a "toadie."
As with other fish of this family, the flesh is poisonous, due to tetrodotoxin
, and eating the fish can have fatal consequences.
Tetraodontiformes
The Tetraodontiformes are an order of highly derived ray-finned fish, also called the Plectognathi. Sometimes these are classified as a suborder of the Perciformes...
, found along Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's eastern coast, from northern Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
to Flinders Island
Flinders Island
Flinders Island may refer to:In Australia:* Flinders Island , in the Furneaux Group, is the largest and best known* Flinders Island * Flinders Island , in the Investigator Group* Flinders Island...
, and around Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island is an irregularly crescent-shaped volcanic remnant in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand, directly east of mainland Port Macquarie, and about from Norfolk Island. The island is about 11 km long and between 2.8 km and 0.6 km wide with an area of...
, as well as in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
waters. It often buries itself in sand with only its eyes exposed.
The fish is sandy to whitish in colour, with small brown spots over most of the back and upper sides, and brown bars and blotches beneath. It has a maximum length of 14 cm. It is similar in appearance to the smooth toadfish
Smooth toadfish
The smooth toadfish or smooth toado is a species of fish in the Tetraodontidae family of order Tetraodontiformes, found along Australia's eastern and southeast coast, from northern Queensland to South Australia and Tasmania...
, but has smaller spots and more prominent spines in the skin.
Like some other fish, the common toadfish is able to vary the amount of pigment in its cornea
Cornea
The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Together with the lens, the cornea refracts light, with the cornea accounting for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total optical power. In humans, the refractive power of the cornea is...
, which becomes yellow in colour under bright light.
It is (rarely) used as an aquarium fish for brackish-water aquarium
Brackish-water aquarium
A brackish water aquarium is an aquarium where the water is brackish . The range of "saltiness" varies greatly, from near freshwater to near marine and is often referred to as specific gravity or salinity. Brackish water aquaria is a popular specialization within the fishkeeping hobby...
s. Along with related toadfish species, it is known in Australia as a "toadie."
As with other fish of this family, the flesh is poisonous, due to tetrodotoxin
Tetrodotoxin
Tetrodotoxin, also known as "tetrodox" and frequently abbreviated as TTX, sometimes colloquially referred to as "zombie powder" by those who practice Vodou, is a potent neurotoxin with no known antidote. There have been successful tests of a possible antidote in mice, but further tests must be...
, and eating the fish can have fatal consequences.
See also
- Smooth toadfishSmooth toadfishThe smooth toadfish or smooth toado is a species of fish in the Tetraodontidae family of order Tetraodontiformes, found along Australia's eastern and southeast coast, from northern Queensland to South Australia and Tasmania...
, Tetractenos glaber - List of brackish aquarium fish species