Oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau)

Scientific name: Opsanus tau Linnaeus, 1766

Oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau)

The Oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau) is a marine fish of the family Batrachoididae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Florida in USA, straggling south to Miami in cold years.

Biology

Largely inhabits inshore water on rocky bottoms and reefs, jetties and wrecks. Frequently occurs among litter and tolerates polluted water. Becoming important as an experimental fish because of its size and hardiness. Has been reared in captivity.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Opsanus tau
Family
Batrachoididae (Toadfishes)
Order
Batrachoidiformes (Toadfishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
43.2
Environment
Marine; reef-associated
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Florida in USA, straggling south to Miami in cold years.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Venomous
Uses
Gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.11; tmax=8)

More other marine fish

See all other marine fish

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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