Batrachoidiformes (Greek batrachos- ‘frog’)
Taxonomy: Superclass: Gnathostomata
Class: Agtinopteregii
Order: Batrachoidiformes
Family: Batrachoididae
3 subfamilies, 18 genera, 69 species; Toadfishes!
Description: Broad, flattened heads that have fleshy flaps and barbels around
the mouth; cylindrical trunk and rounded caudal fin, long soft dorsal and anal
fin containing 2 to 3 spines at the front of the dorsal forming the small spiny
dorsal fin; prominent forward facing eyes and large downturned mouth, slimy
skin (resembling a toad).
Habitat: bottom-dwellers; shallow to semi-deep coastal waters; marine,
brackish, and freshwater species
Distribution: Found most in the Americas followed by African and
Indonesian/Australian waters
Ecology and Life History: Can survive over 24 hours outside of water; some
species have been seen using ventral fins as legs to move across mud flats;
Have a diverse diet and able to swallow large prey due to elastic stomach.
Mating season late spring to summer; males utter mating calls to attract
females to nest. Produce 20-100 large eggs that father watches over in nest
until young can fend for themselves.
Additional details: The shy and rather slow fishes have compensated with
their breeding habits. Much energy is put into the raising and caring for their
young, parenting and nurturing a small number of eggs by the father. Highly
vocal mating calls include grunts growls and croaks that can be heard above
water.
Recent Research: Calling behavior of the male toadfish not only serves to
attract females to the nest, but is also a result of male-male competition and
serves as a warning sign to other males to keep away.
References:
Bond, C. E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd. ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort
Worth
Paxton, J. R. and W. N. Eshmeyer. 1998. Encyclopedia of fishes 2nd ed.
Academic Press. pg. 135-136
Vasconcelos, R. O. et al. 2010. Vocal Behavior During Territorial Intrusions in
the Lusitanian Toadfish: Boatwhistles Also Function as Territorial ‘KeepOut’ Signals. Ethology. 116: 155–165. doi: 10.1111
Taxonomic website:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Batrachoidiformes/classificati
on/