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Halloween Photo Collection

Gulf toadfish

Opsanus beta

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Fun Facts

Gulf toadfish don't have any scales on their body.

Species Type:

Fishes

Common Name(s):

Gulf toadfish

Size:

Male gulf toadfish are slightly larger than females. They reach a maximum length of 12.8 inches (32.4 cm).

Diet:

These fish eat smaller fishes, crustaceans like shrimp and crab, and mollusks.

Range & Habitat:

They thrive in muddy and sandy-bottom habitats and seagrass beds in shallow coastal waters off west Florida and around the Gulf.

Details:

Gulf toadfish have muted, brown-gray bodies with white patches that help them blend into their environment. They have large mouths and produce a toad-like grunt to attract mates. Toadfish can tolerate a wide range of salinity (saltiness) levels, from coastal saltwater to brackish (mixed fresh and salt).