| Common toadfish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Tetraodontiformes |
| Family: | Tetraodontidae |
| Genus: | Tetractenos |
| Species: | T. hamiltoni |
| Binomial name | |
| Tetractenos hamiltoni Richardson, 1846 |
|
The common toadfish or common toado or toadfish or toado[1] (Tetractenos hamiltoni, formerly classified as Tetrodon hamiltoni[2][3] or Torquigener hamiltoni) is a species of fish in the Tetraodontidae family of order Tetraodontiformes, found along Australia's eastern coast, from northern Queensland to Flinders Island, and around Lord Howe Island,[1] as well as in New Zealand waters. It often buries itself in sand with only its eyes exposed.[4]
The fish is sandy to whitish in colour, with small brown spots over most of the back and upper sides, and brown bars and blotches beneath.[5] It has a maximum length of 14 cm.[4] It is similar in appearance to the smooth toadfish, but has smaller spots and more prominent spines in the skin.[5]
Like some other fish, the common toadfish is able to vary the amount of pigment in its cornea, which becomes yellow in colour under bright light.[6]
It is (rarely) used as an aquarium fish for brackish-water aquariums. Along with related toadfish species, it is known in Australia as a "toadie."
As with other fish of this family, the flesh is poisonous, due to tetrodotoxin, and eating the fish can have fatal consequences.[7]