Opsanus beta

Opsanus beta (SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC)

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Superclassis/Classis: Actinopterygii
Classis/Subclassis: Actinopteri
Subclassis/Infraclassis: Neopterygii
Infraclassis: Teleostei
Megacohors: Osteoglossocephalai
Supercohors: Clupeocephala
Cohors: Euteleosteomorpha
Subcohors: Neoteleostei
Infracohors: Eurypterygia
Sectio: Ctenosquamata
Subsectio: Acanthomorphata
Divisio/Superordo: Acanthopterygii
Subdivisio: Percomorphaceae
Series: Batrachoidaria
Ordo: Batrachoidiformes

Familia: Batrachoididae
Subfamilia: Batrachoidinae
Genus: Opsanus
Species: O. beta

The Gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta) is a species of toadfish found in the Gulf of Mexico.[2]
Description

Gulf toadfish commonly weigh 2 to 3 pounds (0.91 to 1.36 kg). and measure 11–14 inches (28–36 cm) but smaller ones are sometimes caught weighing 0.25 pounds (110 g). measuring 4–5 inches (10–13 cm).
Distribution

The Gulf toadfish is found in the Gulf of Mexico commonly inshore around bridges and structure such as pilings. They prefer shallow areas near baitfish populations.
Diet

The Gulf toadfish is an opportunistic feeder and feeds on the bottom. They prefer to be near areas supporting baitfish so that they can feed without having to travel far.
Angling

The Gulf toadfish is commonly considered a trash fish. They appear dangerous and slimy so people refrain from eating them. They will eat anglers' baits readily and prevent them from catching game fish. They will usually eat chunks of bait, especially wide baits, such as cut squid or frozen fish.

They are widely disliked because they have a tendency to swallow hooks making them difficult to unhook. They also compete with resources for more desirable game fish and have few predators.

Toxins

Gulf toadfish are commonly believed to be toxic/venomous, but this belief is untrue. While other members of the batrachoidid family (toadfishes) do have toxic excretions, the Gulf Toadfish does not. The purpose of these excretions is still unknown and, although it can have irritating effects on people and fish, it is not a toxin.[3]

As food

Gulf toadfish are rarely eaten.
References

Collette, B.; Aiken, K.A. & Polanco Fernandez, A. (2015). "Opsanus beta". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T190257A1946238. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T190257A1946238.en.
"WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Opsanus beta (Goode & Bean, 1880)". Marinespecies.org.
"Structure and Function of the Axillary Organ of the Gulf Toadfish, Opsanus beta (Goode and Bean)" (PDF). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 119A (1): 17–26. 1998. Retrieved 2022-03-21.