Gulf toadfish

The Gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta) is a species of toadfish found in the Gulf of Mexico.^[2]

Gulf toadfish
Gulf toadfish after being caught by hook and line
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Batrachoidiformes
Family:	Batrachoididae
Genus:	Opsanus
Species:	O. beta
Binomial name
Opsanus beta (Goode & Bean, 1880)
Synonyms
Batrachus tau beta Goode & Bean, 1880 Opsanus vandeuseni Fowler, 1939

Description

Gulf toadfish commonly weigh 2 to 3 pounds (0.91 to 1.36 kg). and measure 11–14 inches (28–36 cm) but smaller ones are sometimes caught weighing 0.25 pounds (110 g). measuring 4–5 inches (10–13 cm).

Distribution

The Gulf toadfish is found in the Gulf of Mexico commonly inshore around bridges and structure such as pilings. They prefer shallow areas near baitfish populations.

Biology

Diet

The Gulf toadfish is an opportunistic feeder and feeds on the bottom. They prefer to be near areas supporting baitfish so that they can feed without having to travel far.

Calls

Like others of the family, gulf toadfish make mating calls, which may make them vulnerable to predation by dolphins such as bottlenoses; dolphin diets often include sound-producing fish, making up to 80% of their diet, approximately 13% of which are toadfish.^[3] In response, gulf toadfish are able to suppress their calls when detecting dolphin; their cortisol levels were significantly elevated when exposed to dolphin calls, while the clicks produced by snapping shrimp were ignored as background noise.^[4][3]

Toxins

Gulf toadfish are commonly believed to be toxic/venomous, but this belief is untrue. While other members of the batrachoidid family (toadfishes) do have toxic excretions, the Gulf Toadfish does not. The purpose of these excretions is still unknown and, although it can have irritating effects on people and fish, it is not a toxin.^[5]

Relation to humans

Angling

The Gulf toadfish is commonly considered a trash fish, rarely being eaten. They appear dangerous and slimy so people refrain from eating them. They will eat anglers' baits readily and prevent them from catching game fish. They will usually eat chunks of bait, especially wide baits, such as cut squid or frozen fish.

They are widely disliked because they have a tendency to swallow hooks making them difficult to unhook. They also compete with resources for more desirable game fish and have few predators.