Toadfish contain tetrodotoxin, a deadly poison. Some species have enough poison to kill humans or dogs. The level of toxicity varies between species. Factors like size and location caught influence toxicity.
While some eat toadfish, the potential poison causes concern. Not all toadfish are poisonous. Some species contain a toxin harmful to humans. The toxicity level depends on the species, size, age, and catch location of the fish.
Toadfish venom can be fatal if it enters the bloodstream. Their smooth skin and flattened bodies grow over 12 inches long. The venom is extremely dangerous to touch or step on.
Certain toadfish species emit grunting sounds. Their venom is the world’s most dangerous poison. Toadfish must be cooked correctly to be edible, like pufferfish. The poison is up to 100 times deadlier than black widow spider venom, with no antidote.
Is it OK to touch a toadfish?
Toadfish are venomous. The toadfish’s skin secretes a mild toxin. This toxin can irritate eyes and skin. So touching toadfish can be dangerous.
Toadfish bites can be fatal. Their venom is a neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin. This toxin is very poisonous. The toadfish’s spikes have this toxin too.
There is no antidote for the toadfish’s poison. If a toadfish bites a person or dog, try to make it vomit the flesh. Give it activated charcoal. This absorbs leftover toxins. Fluid injections help dilute toxins. But death may still occur quickly after a bite.
Only smooth toadfish from Australia lacks venom spines. These are still toxic if eaten. All other toadfish species should not be eaten. Their neurotoxin is deadly. Up to 100 times more than black widow venom.
What is the fish that looks like a toadfish?
Toadfish live on the bottom and can be seen on all of our shores. Even out in the open, they look like algae-covered stones. At night, they are often spotted by their large eyes that ‘shine’ red. Sometimes they are seen dry out of water under large stones at low tide. They are still very much alive and do not need to be ‘saved’ or moved.
What are toadfishes? Toadfishes belong to the Family Batrachoididae. The smooth toadfish is a pufferfish native to shallow coastal and estuarine waters of southeastern Australia. Like other pufferfish, it can inflate itself with water or air.
Toadfish have a tapering body with a plump belly and a large, flat head that tapers to a thin tail. Their mouth is wide and contains very sharp teeth. They feed on small fish, crabs and prawns. Suitable prey that comes near enough is sucked into its wide jaws. These jaws expand suddenly into a cavernous gape and the prey is usually swallowed whole. Their stomach can expand greatly to hold large prey.
The Lusitanian toadfish is similar to a toad. It has a maximum length of 50 cm. Its body is large and round, like its head, and its mouth is wide. It has two dorsal fins. The first one has three strong and short spines and is covered with skin. The second dorsal fin has soft rays. Its skin produces mucus to protect itself.
The oyster toadfish is up to 43 cm long and yellowish with a pattern of brown bars. Male toadfish have specialized swim bladders to produce mating calls. Their pectoral paddles are like a fan. The pelvic paddles are tiny. Both the anal fin and second dorsal fin are elongated.
Can a toadfish sting you?
The Oyster Toadfish is sometimes called an ugly toad, oyster cracker, oyster catcher or bar dog. There are 80 species of toadfish and most are venomous. They have a hollow venomous spine on their first dorsal fin. If you get spiked by the spines it can be bad for you. You should get in the habit of not touching any of your fish. It removes the slime coat and infections can set in. If you have to touch them, use a wet towel or cloth.
Pain from this venom has been compared to a bee or wasp sting. In 1998, NASA sent the oyster toadfish into space. Sting treatment for toadfish does not have an antidote. Extract as much poison as possible by putting pressure on the wound. Place a tourniquet and loosen it for blood circulation. Go to the doctor immediately.
Notorious for taking bait, the smooth toadfish is an unwanted catch. Its lack of spines makes it easier to handle. Eating toadfish can result in death. Cooking destroys toxicity. The California horned frogfish has bright yellow spots on a brownish body with a distinct “horn” above each eye. Carnivorous, toadfishes sometimes bite when touched.