Batrachoididae Temporal range:
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Clade: | Percomorpha |
Order: | Batrachoidiformes |
Family: | Batrachoididae Jordan, 1896 |
Type species | |
Batrachoides tau Lacepède 1800
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Subfamilies | |
Batrachoidinae |
Batrachoididae /bætrəˈkɔɪdɪdiː/ is the only family in the ray-finned fish order Batrachoidiformes /bætrəˈkɔɪdɪfɔːrmiːz/. 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.