Oyster Toadfish
Opsanus tau
Size: to 15"
Habitat:
Generally inshore on hard bottoms and in shellfish beds, in 30-40 foot depths.
Notes:
Small but feisty, this fish may snap at your fingers with its powerful jaws when caught. Up close, Toadfish have ugly ogre-like faces, and eyes that seem to glow red from inside. They also make loud croaking noises during the breeding season. Toadfish are favorite laboratory subjects and have even flown in orbit on the Space Shuttle.
