Prickly Toadfish

Contusus brevicaudus

Sea Life Endemic IUCN: Not Evaluated

About

Body robust, somewhat rounded, densely covered by small spines that extend onto tail base; dorsal and anal fins reaching or almost reaching tail base; lower edge of eye well above pectoral-fin base. Pale grey to yellowish above, with indistinct grey to medium brown spots on back and upper sides behind pectoral-fin base; light grey on top of head to upper lip and down both sides of eye, sometimes merging on cheek; no spots on belly

Size

Can grow to a length of around 26cm

Habitat

On sandy bottoms and in seagrass beds in bays, estuaries out to a depth of around 20m

Distribution

From New South Wales, Western Australia, and around Tasmania

Local Sightings

1 recorded sighting in and around the area.

References & citations (3)
  1. Bray, D. and Gomon, M. (2018) Contusus brevicaudus Prickly Toadfish in Museums Victoria Collections (accessed 2021-10-29 09:31:50)
  2. The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2021-10-29 09:32:23)
  3. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. (2021). FishBase. Contusus brevicaudus Hardy, 1981. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species (accessed 2021-10-29 10:21:52)

Header image: (CC BY-NC 4.0) © Nick Shaw

Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into making sure identifications, descriptions, sizes, habitats and distribution details are as accurate as possible — but this information is ever-changing, so no guarantee is offered that it is correct or currently valid. Treat it as a guide and do a little of your own research for the latest word. Feedback and corrections are always welcome.