Ringed Toadfish, Omegophora armilla (Waite & McCulloch, 1915)

Scientific name: Omegophora armilla
Alternative name/s:
Ringed Puffer, Ringed Pufferfish, Ringed Toado
<i>Omegophora armilla </i> Click to enlarge image
A Ringed Toadfish at a depth of 8m, north-western Kangaroo Island, South Australia, December 2003. Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Omegophora
    Species
    armilla
    Family
    Tetraodontidae
    Order
    Tetraodontiformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 25 cm in length.

Introduction

The Ringed Toadfish is dusky above and white below. It can be easily identified by the black line almost encircling the pectoral fin base. The species is endemic to Australia.

Identification

The Ringed Toadfish is dusky above and white below. It can be easily identified by the black line almost encircling the pectoral fin base. Males may have small blue spots, which are absent in females and juveniles.

Habitat

The Ringed Toadfish is usually found on deep coastal and offshore reefs although it is occasionally seen in sandy and weedy areas of estuaries. It occurs down to depths of at least 146 m.

Distribution

It is endemic to Australia, occurring from the central coast of New South Wales, around the temperate south of the country to the central coast of Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Hardy, G.S. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  6. Last, P.R., E.O.G. Scott & F.H. Talbot. 1983. Fishes of Tasmania. Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority. Pp. 563.