Batrachoididae

Batrachoididae
Temporal range: Early Eocene–recent[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Clade: Percomorpha
Order: Batrachoidiformes
Family: Batrachoididae
Jordan, 1896
Type species
Batrachoides tau
Lacepède 1800
Subfamilies

Batrachoidinae
Halophryninae
Porichthyinae
Thalassophryninae

Batrachoididae /bætrəˈkɔɪdɪd/ is the only family in the ray-finned fish order Batrachoidiformes /bætrəˈkɔɪdɪfɔːrmz/. 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.

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