FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION, 46 1 



Family BATRACHOIDIDiE. Toadfishes. 



203. Toadfish; Oysterfish {Opsanus tan Linnaeus). ' 



The Toadfish is found from Cape Cod to Cuba. It is very abundant among 

 rocks and weeds close to the shore northward, and is found in deeper water south- 

 ward, the very young cHnging to rocks or other substances by means of a ventral 

 sucking disk, which is soon lost. The Toadfish attains to the length of 15 inches. 

 It has no value as food, and is a great source of annoyance to fishermen, especially 

 to those who use eel pots. Mitchill described the fish under its present name, and 

 DeKay called it the Common Toadfish! DeKay says its flesh, when properly cooked 

 is well flavored. It usually lies half buried in the mud or among seaweed ; and with 

 its capacious mouth widely extended, and aided by its sack-like opercles, either 

 silently sucks in small marine animals, or suddenly seizes such small fish as may 

 incautiously pass over its extended jaws. DeKay describes the young Toadfish as 

 a distinct species. He states that in the summer of 1824 a number of these fish 

 were found in the streets of New York after a heavy shower ; many idle specula- 

 tions were hazarded in the papers of the day as to their origin. In some parts oi 

 the south this fish is known as the Oysterfish, from its habit of living in dead oyster 

 shells. It ranges on our east coast from Cape Cod to the Gulf of Mexico. It 

 is a voracious species, feeding upon other fishes and upon shellfish, crabs, and 

 other Crustacea, annelids, etc. It breeds during the summer months. The eggs 

 adhere to stones in shallow water, or to submerged stakes, pieces of wood, or any 

 other substance which will afford shelter. The nests and young are guarded by the 

 parent fish. By the end of August the young have reached a length of about I 

 inch. Ayres says that a Toadfish which was caught in 1840, and kept for some 

 time, would snap very fiercely at a finger or stick held close to him, and sometimes 

 would allow himself to be lifted out of the water before he would loose his hold. 

 On the approach of cold weather they bury themselves in the mud, where they 

 remain torpid, and are often brought up by a spear while striking in the mud for eels. 

 One was brought to Ayres which Avas taken in this manner October 27, 1840 ; it was 

 torpid, and lived nearly 24 hours without water. The eggs are attached to objects 

 by means of a very adhesive secretion. The imprint of the &^^ remains long 

 after the young are hatched, even though the shell and other waste portions may 

 be eaten off by small crustaceans. The Toadfish at night is usually seen curled up 

 on the bottom, with its head and tail close together. 



