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Randall's toadfish (Torquigener randalli) — Tetraodontidae

Randall's toadfish

Torquigener randalli

The Randall's toadfish (Torquigener randalli) is a saltwater fish of the family Tetraodontidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–132.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Oceania: Hawaii

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Description

The Randall's toadfish is a pufferfish (Tetraodontidae) from shallow coastal, seagrass and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a stocky, scaleless body with a spotted or mottled back and large, mobile eyes; when threatened it inflates with water into a ball. With a strong, beak-like jaw it crushes shellfish, crabs and worms. Its organs contain deadly tetrodotoxin; the fish must not be eaten.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Randall's toadfish?

The Randall's toadfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

Where does the Randall's toadfish live?

The Randall's toadfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Hawaii

How big does the Randall's toadfish get?

The Randall's toadfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Randall's toadfish dangerous to humans?

The Randall's toadfish is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. This fish contains tetrodotoxin, a powerful nerve poison with no antidote; do not eat it. After ingestion tingling, numbness, muscle weakness and breathing problems can develop within an hour. Call emergency services at once; prompt medical monitoring and breathing support are life-saving.

More photos

Randall's toadfish (Torquigener randalli) — Tetraodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) cory-pittman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Randall's toadfish (Torquigener randalli) — Tetraodontidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Randall's toadfish (Torquigener randalli) — Tetraodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Philip Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Randall's toadfish sourced
Scientific name
Torquigener randalli
Family
Tetraodontidae
Other names
Randall's puffer sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
132.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Hawaii sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified
First aid
This fish contains tetrodotoxin, a powerful nerve poison with no antidote; do not eat it. After ingestion tingling, numbness, muscle weakness and breathing problems can develop within an hour. Call emergency services at once; prompt medical monitoring and breathing support are life-saving. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Torquigener

More from the family Tetraodontidae

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