Toadfish

This toadfish is a stout, blunt-headed fish with a broad mouth, loose skin and a mottled brown-to-grey pattern that keeps it well hidden against sand and rubble. Its body tapers toward the tail and it spends much of its time resting on the bottom.

It lives on inshore sand, mud and mixed reef ground along the South African coast, feeding on small invertebrates and fish. Slow-moving and cryptic, it is more often felt on an angler's line than seen by divers. Handle any toadfish with care and avoid the mouth.