16. Toadfishes (5)

Thalassophryne amazonica

28. October 2020

The toadfishes a very odd creatures. A total of about 73 species exists which are placed in around 22 genera and three subfamilies. One of these subfamilies – the Thalassophryninae – is also known as the “venomous toadfishes”. Thalassophryne amazonica, one of the very few freshwater species of the family, is placed in that subfamily.

The Amazon Toadfish can be easily told apart from all other toadfishes in South- and Central America. It is the only species in which dorsal, caudal, and anal fin are connected with each other. Although there are reports of a small number of additional species of the Thalassophryninae that enter occasionally brackish and fresh water, Thalassophryne amazonica is the only species of the subfamily that lives exlusively in fresh water. Our specimens originate from Peru.

The Thalassophryninae are thought to be the fishes with the highest developed venomous apparatus of all fishes in the world, despite the fact that there are a lots of venomous fishes – just think of the stonefish (Synanceia), which can place deadly stings to humans, or the stingrays, or the weeverfish (Trachinus) which are responsible for unpleasant experiences of thousands of holidaymakers in the Mediterranean each year.

The venomous glands are placed on the base of two hollow prickles (derived from dorsal fin spines) on the back and two additional prickles on the operculum. There are no reports on accidents with Thalassophryne amazonica, but each year appear several cases with the closely realated marine and brackish species Thalassophryne nattereri which is very abundand in Brazil. The sting causes strong pain, inflammation and sometimes necrosis, but the venom has obviously no systemic components. There are no reports on fatalities.

In the aquarium, Thalassophryne amazonica, which can attain a maximum length of about 8-10 cm, are very interesting fish to study. They need sandy bottom in which they can burrow themselves. The fish are fed with small feeder fishes. Against each other and any other fish that does not work as food, Thalassophryne amazonica are very peaceful. Due to the fact that toadfish don´t move unnecessarily they can be kept in comparatively small aquaria. Toadfish are said to take care for the brood, but no details are published so far.

For our customers: the animals have code 296451 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Thalassophryne: means “sea-toad”. amazonica: means “coming from the Amazon”. nattereri: dedication name for the naturalist Johann Natterer (1787-1843).

Suggestion of a common name: Amazon Toadfish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Allenbatrachus grunniens

19. July 2019

Nobody would keep this fascinating frogfish from South East Asia due to its coloration. The bizarre shape and the expressive eyes nevertheless make it a desirable species for the aquarium.

This frogfish lives in the wild in river mouths; although it is possible to keep the fish in pure freshwater, it is better to add some salt (5-15 g/litre). The broad mouth characerizes A. grunniens as a predatory species. Among each other and against fish that do not fit as food the species is completely peaceful. This frogfish attains a length of approximately 30 cm.

One should be very careful when catching the fish, as the dorsal spines and probably also the spines on the opercle are poisonous. Generally speaking, the venom is not very strong, but painful and there is also always the danger of allergic reactions.

For our customers: the animals have code 373105 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Allenbatrachus: combined from the Name Allen (dedication name for George Allen from Humboldt State University) and the genus name Batrachus, another genus of toadfish. grunniens: means “the grunter”.

Common name: Grunting toadfish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Allenbatrachus grunniens

18. June 2012

Nobody would keep this fascinating frogfish from South East Asia due to its coloration. The bizarre shape and the expressive eyes nevertheless make it a desirable species for the aquarium.

This frogfish lives in the wild in river mouths; although it is possible to keep the fish in pure freshwater, it is better to add some salt (5-15 g/litre). The broad mouth characerizes A. grunniens as a predatory species. Among each other and against fish that do not fit as food the species is completely peaceful. This frogfish attains a length of approximately 30 cm.

One should be very careful when catching the fish, as the dorsal spines and probably also the spines on the opercle are poisonous. Generally speaking, the venom is not very strong, but painful and there is also always the danger of allergic reactions.

For our customers: the animals have code 373105 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Allenbatrachus: combined from the Name Allen (dedication name for George Allen from Humboldt State University) and the genus name Batrachus, another genus of toadfish. grunniens: means “the grunter”.

Common name: Grunting toadfish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm 15-20

Allenbatrachus grunniens

7. February 2011

Code: 373102

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm 3-5

Allenbatrachus grunniens

1. February 2008

(01.Feb.2008) Toadfish – a funny name for a funny family, the Batrachoididae. There are only 73 representatives of this family worldwide. Their name is coming from noises which they can generate and sounds like the callings of toads. Toadfish have a venomously spine on the gills and their dorsal fin and when you catch them, they can bite
you pretty hard, so be careful in handling them! They require a sandy ground on which they ambush their prey. They should be fed with live fish. (Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Asien
Verfügbare Größe in cm 7-10cm