MASTERS OF THE WATER-BONY FISHES 



285 



Toadfish. 



Fig. 163. Midshiftnan. 



experience that just about anything of proper size will be swallowed. This 

 pugnacious fish will not usually retreat before the underwater swimmer, but 

 will threaten by opening its mouth and it will snap quite freely at fingers 

 thrust its way, being able to give a painful bite with its powerful jaws. Toadfishes 

 may be easily captured by thrusting a blunt stick into their jaws, whereupon 

 the fish takes a firm hold and may then be netted. When so disturbed, a toadlike 

 croak is usually uttered. The breeding season is late spring or early summer. 

 The adhesive eggs are fastened to a stone, tin can, or similar crevice and are 

 guarded by the male, whose natural pugnacity is magnified at that time. 



MIDSHIPMAN (bagre sapo, SINGING fish) : Ponchthys ]yorosisshnns 



Size: Up to about 8 inches. 



Distribution: South Carolina to Argentina. Fairly common in the Gulf of 

 Mexico. 



Identification: The shape is distinctive. There are rows of silvery, dark-outlined 

 pores on the sides and head. 



Habits: When captured, this fish makes a peculiar vibratory, humming sound 

 with its air bladder, which accounts for the name "singing fish." In habits, it is 

 much like the toadfish, but it is not as pugnacious. 



Similar Species: The California singing fish, Porichthys notatiis, is very similar. 

 It is found off the coasts of California. 



Cling Fishes: Suborder Xenopterygi 



These are extremely tadpolelike fishes. Briggs (1955) has monographed them, 

 stating that this suborder of odd fishes is probably most closely allied to the 



