Let's start a weekly photo theme.... today let's all post Splendid Toadfish

[dmoore19]

Not the best but it is a picture. This is what happens with the first trip with a camera and strobe. You have to adjust.

 

[Sorrows]

I am curious if anybody can answer this question. Some photos show their eyes as cloudy and white while others show clear, normal looking eyes. In humans this is a result of cataracts, do the cloudy eyes indicate age or cataracts in these toad fish? Silly question, but I figured this would be the ideal thread to post this inquiry.

I wonder if this is a result of lighting or perspective? I notice that this happens with Scorpionfish as well.

 

[robint]

I saw a toadfish in Roatan (nowhere near as splendid as the Cozumel variety, needless to say) but again, it was in its hole. I've never seen either variety free-swimming. I had no idea they were so huge and so LONG! Wow!

Edited to add: I just looked up toadfishes in my Humann Deloach Fish ID. None of them appear to grow more than 12 inches. What gives? Is this a case of everybody looking bigger on film?

yeah, I saw that in the book too and think they are nuts. The toadfish I see in Cozumel are usually around 8-10" long. The one I saw in Roatan had to be closer to 18-24" long and easily as big around as a melon.
There are many fish I have seen that are definitely bigger than stated in the Deloach books though, not just this one.

robin

 

[octopuppy]

Photos and Silver Pins

We love these fish. So much so my husband made me a couple of pins. He's made at least one pin for each of our favorite sea critters. Also, here's three of his photos. I have video somewhere. Click to enlarge.

 

[dmoore19]

View attachment 112868

Is this a splendid toadfish? It looks like coral toadfish to me. I could be wrong though. I didn't think the splendid had the yellow on the fins.

 

[robint]

Is this a splendid toadfish? It looks like coral toadfish to me. I could be wrong though. I didn't think the splendid had the yellow on the fins.

Yes, Splendid toadfish has yellow markings on his black & white striped body. It's the only toadfish with yellow, I believe. The one's in Belize are just black and white, and the ones in Roatan are just fuggly brown-black mottled color.

robin

 

[Pelagicsal]

Everything I find states that both coral toadfish and splendid toadfish are Sanopus splendidus - the same species.

 

[dmoore19]

I haven't seen one with the yellow on it around Cozumel. I looked it up and saw one with all the yellow on it that had it named a Coral Toadfish. I stand corrected. I thought the Splendid was endemic to the waters around Cozumel. Maybe the ones I have seen aren't splendid after all. Though seeing one is certainly a splendid experience.

 

[Dan G]

Hopefully not too amateurish for this thread. Some nice pics out there.

 

[CheddarChick]

Man..mine is bad, but I'll play..Stiff current ect, ect, ect....