Toadfish, Clingfish 405 



Color: Ground color of body variable; olive green, yellow, 

 or brown. Back and sides darker than belly. Body ir- 

 regularly marked with dark brown bars and patches. 

 Distribution: Found from Cuba to Cape Cod and as a 

 stray north to Maine. 

 Size: Maximum length about Wa feet. 

 General Information: The Toadfish is a shoal water spe- 

 cies common on sandy or muddy bottoms. It spawns in 

 late spring and summer. The adhesive eggs are laid under 

 stones, logs, shells, in tin cans, or in other objects. The 

 male guards the eggs for about 3 weeks until they hatch. 

 This fish commonly hides under stones, darting out sud- 

 denly to seize passing prey. It is a voracious feeder and 

 will eat almost anything, including crustaceans, worms, 

 and fishes. The Toadfish is able to make grunting noises 

 and does so when handled. 



Economic Importance: None. The Toadfish is often caught 

 by anglers. It is a pugnacious species when caught and 

 will erect the sharp spines on its dorsal fin and operculum 

 and snap at anything near its mouth. Both the spines and 

 powerful jaws and teeth can inflict a painful wound. 



Clingfish 

 Cotylis nigripinnis Peters 



Color: Mostly olive with a little red; sometimes banded 



with darker or paler shades of the same colors. 



Distribution: Chesapeake Bay to at least as far south as 



Florida. 



Size: Maximum length about 4 inches. 



General Information: This species attaches itself to shells, 



rocks, and other objects by means of the large sucking 



disc located between the pelvic fins. It has been taken in 



waters of 1-110 feet deep. Spawning occurs in spring. 



