Oyster toadfish have big, bulging eyes on top of a large, flat head and fleshy "whiskers" on the cheeks and jaws. (Templarion/Flickr)
The oyster toadfish is an ugly fish that lives year-round in oyster reefs and other shallow parts of the Chesapeake Bay.
Appearance:
Scaleless, flattened body
Olive-brown back with dark blotches or bars
Pale belly
Fleshy flaps or “whiskers” on the cheeks and jaws
Big, bulging eyes on the top of a large, flat head
A broad mouth filled with strong, rounded teeth
Grows to about 12 inches long
Habitat:
Bottom-dweller
Found primarily within and around oyster reefs
Also lives among wrecks, debris, rocks, vegetation and other dark, secluded spots in the shallows during warmer months
Moves to the Chesapeake Bay’s deep channels in winter
Range:
Abundant throughout the Bay year-round
Most common in the middle and lower Bay
Feeding:
Feeds mostly on small crabs and other crustaceans
Will also eat mollusks and small fish
Predators:
May be eaten by sharks
Protects itself from predators with its strong jaws and spiny dorsal fin
Hides from predators within oyster reefs, rocky areas and other debris
Voice:
Spawning males make a distinctive “foghorn” call to attract a mate
Oyster Toadfish courtesy of Sciaenid Acoustics Research Team, East Carolina University
Reproduction and Life Cycle:
Spawns in April-October in the Bay’s shallows
Males makes a nest in a dark, secluded location, then call for a female mate
The female lays sticky eggs on the top of the nest, then leaves
Oyster toadfish eggs measure about one-fifth of an inch in diameter – the largest eggs of any fish in the Bay
The male protects the eggs and keeps the nest clean by using his fins to fan out debris
After about one month, the eggs hatch. The tadpole-like young remain attached to the nest by a yolk.
Once the yolk is fully absorbed, the male guards the young toadlets for a few more weeks, although they are free to swim in and out of the nest
Other Facts:
An oyster toadfish will quickly take an angler's bait. But be wary of catching this fish — it has powerful, snapping jaws and sharp spines on the dorsal fin.
The hardy oyster toadfish can tolerate litter and polluted water, and can survive out of water for a lengthy period of time
Although it is edible, oyster toadfish are rarely eaten because of their grotesque appearance
Sources and Additional Information:
Fishes of Chesapeake Bay by Edward O. Murdy, Ray S. Birdsong and John A. Musick
