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Smooth Toadfish
Tetractenos glaber (Fréminville, 1813)
A Smooth Toadfish at a depth of 0.2 m in a rockpool, Bass Point, Shellharbour, New South Wales, March 2004. Photo: Sascha Schulz. View larger image.
A Smooth Toadfish partially buried in sand at a depth of 2 m, Carrickalinga Beach, Fleurieu Peninsula, November 2007. Photo: D. Muirhead. View larger image.
The Smooth Toadfish has a moderately elongate, thick body that tapers to a narrow caudal peduncle. There is a distinct skin fold along the lower side from the rear of the pectoral fin to the base of the caudal fin.
This species can be recognised by its colour pattern. It is sandy coloured to pale greenish above and white below. The back and sides are covered with dark blotches. There is a dark band between the eyes, another between the pectoral fins and a third through the dorsal fin base.
It grows to 15 cm in length.
The Smooth Toadfish is endemic to Australia. It occurs in estuaries and coastal bays from southern Queensland to Tasmania and as far west as the central coast of South Australia.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
This species looks similar to the Common Toadfish. They can be separated by skin texture and colouration. The Smooth Toadfish has larger spots and blotches. It has minute spines embedded in the skin, which has a smooth texture, hence the common name. The Common Toadfish is covered with small prickles.
Related links
- Common Toadfish fact sheet
- View the Pufferfishes list
- View the Family Tetraodontidae list
Further reading
- Gomon, M.F. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
