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Common Toadfish
Tetractenos hamiltoni (Gray & Richardson, 1843)
A Common Toadfish at a depth of 1.5 m, Clifton Gardens, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, October 2002. Photo © E. Schlögl. View larger image.
Above and below: A Common Toadfish at a depth of 3 m, Clifton Gardens, Sydney, New South Wales, March 1998. Photo © E. Schlögl. View larger image.
A Common Toadfish partially buried in sand at a depth of 7 m, Binji Point, near Tuross, New South Wales, March 2004. Photo © D. Harasti. View larger image.
The Common Toadfish is a sandy to whitish colour. It has small brown spots over most of the back and upper sides. The lower sides often have brown bars and blotches.
This species has small gill slits located just in front of the pectoral fin bases and a distinct skin fold running along the lower sides. Its teeth are fused and form a beak-like structure with a median groove. The family name Tetraodontidae means "four teeth".
The Common Toadfish is found in shallow coastal waters and estuaries along the eastern Australian coastline from northern Queensland to southern New South Wales. It is a schooling species that is often seen buried in sand with only the eyes exposed.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
The Common Toadfish is very toxic and should not be eaten. Human deaths have resulted from the consumption of toadfishes. View the eMJA page on Puffer fish poisoning.
This species looks similar to the Smooth 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 give it a smooth texture, hence the common name. The Common Toadfish is covered with small prickles.
Related links
- Smooth Toadfish fact sheet
- Weeping Toado fact sheet
- View the Pufferfishes list
Further reading
- 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.
