The oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau), also known as the oyster toad, ugly toad, oyster cracker, oyster catcher, and bar dog, is a Northwest Atlantic species of fish of the family Batrachoididae. The maximum length of this toadfish is 43.2 cm (17 in), but they infrequently surpass 38 cm (15 in). The record size for this species is 19.2 inches (48.76 cm). They are generally yellowish with a pattern of brown oblique bars. The species can live in poor conditions and needs little food to live. They can be found near the shore from Maine to Florida.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
Considered venomous. Public sources list it as such; we have not verified this individually. The note covers its whole family. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Opsanus beta — considered venomous
- Halobatrachus didactylus — considered venomous
- Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus
- Myoxocephalus scorpius
- Aphos porosus — considered venomous
- Notesthes robusta — considered venomous
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Batrachoidiformes
- Family
- Batrachoididae
- Genus
- Opsanus
- Species
- Opsanus tau
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