Captive Critters: Meet Mr. Toad

As mentioned in previous "captive critter" posts, our grow-out gear provides safe haven for a variety of critters. One of the most infamous: The Oyster Toad.

Oyster toadfish feed mostly on small crabs and other crustaceans, but will also eat mollusks and small fish. Their namesake likely is derived from their preferred habitat rather than an addiction to eating oysters. Also their shape and camouflaged skin allows them to blend in with the oyster right next door, making them masters of disguise.

When it comes to the world of fish, the oyster toadfish is an aquatic troublemaker, a reputation only bested by its appearance.

For an oyster grower, the trouble is a short lived freak out when the oysters you are working suddenly move. These "Toads" will bite! The best way to remove them from gear is to insert the bill of an oyster into the mouth and once the toad snaps down, you can lift the fish to release it.

An oyster toadfish will also quickly take an angler's bait leading to many exciting strikes followed by slack lines. Or engage in worthy battles that conclude with frustration once the angler realizes what they've caught. Be wary of catching the Toad - in addition to its powerful bite, it also has sharp spines on its dorsal fin.

A tribute to Fathers Day and all of the committed fathers out there: After spawning occurs in April through October, males make a nest in a dark, secluded location, then call out for a female mate. Perhaps another reason for their namesake other than appearance, they can make sounds that resemble a mix of croaks, grunts, and their signature toad-like mating call.

The female lays sticky eggs on the top of the nest, then leaves. Oyster toadfish eggs measure about one-fifth of an inch in diameter – the largest eggs of any fish in the Bay.

The male then fertilizes and protects the eggs and keeps the nest clean by using his fins to fan out debris. After about one month, the eggs hatch. The tadpole-like young remain attached to the nest by a yolk. Once the yolk is fully absorbed, the male guards the young toadlets for a few more weeks, although they are free to swim in and out of the nest.

Happy Father's Day!

Some of the other species we find in our oyster gear are below. Follow the links to other captive critter posts:

• Spotfin Butterfly Fish, Sheepshead & Grunts,

• Blennies, Gobies & Skilletfish,

• Blue Crabs & Mud Crabs,

• and other shellfish like scallops and razor clams!