Fish Of The Month: Common Toadfish – Tetractenos Hamiltoni

A few species of Pufferfish inhabit Moreton Bay. The most prolific is the common Toadfish where almost any trip down to the local waterfront or jetties will see you find them quite easily feeding on the water’s edge. 

They can blow themselves up like a balloon when threatened to appear larger and they often bury themselves in the sand with only their eyes exposed. 

Growing to about 15cm they are usually caught when fishing for smallmouth fish like whiting and baitfish and when in large schools can be a real issue taking bait meant for other species.

This fish is very poisonous and cannot be eaten and although it can be handled quite safely, with four large teeth fused together like rabbits the larger fish can also leave a nasty bite.

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