Batrachoididae - Toadfishes
Description
Batrachoididae is the only family in the ray-finned fish order Batrachoidiformes. Members of this family are usually called toadfish, or frogfish: both the English common name and scientific name refer to their toad-like appearance (batrakhos is Greek for frog).
Toadfish are benthic ambush predators that favor sandy or muddy substrates where their cryptic coloration helps them avoid detection by their prey. Toadfish are well known for their ability to sing, males in particular using the swim bladder as a sound-production device used to attract mates.
About 83 species of toadfishes are grouped into 21 genera.
