Toadfish - Smooth

smooth toadfish
© Tasmanian Government. Image Peter Gouldthorpe
Season: Open all year

bag limit5

 

possession limit10

 

boat limit-

(refer to ‘Handling’)

Guide to symbols

bagBag Limit
housePossession Limit
boatBoat Limit

Minimum size

None
Measuring

Most scalefish are measured from the nose to the end of the tail. Get your scalefish measuring ruler or sticker at any Service Tasmania outlet.

Other names

toadie, puffer fish


Scientific name

Tetractenos glaber

Grows to


Up to

15cm

Identifying features


​Toadfish have dark brown blotches on the back and are white underneath. Their body shape is moderately long and rounded, narrowing at the tail. They have no scales and a smooth, toadlike skin. They have a powerful beak with four sharp fused teeth, two each in the upper and lower jaw. The most recognisable feature of this fish is that it inflates itself when captured, either with water or air. Some toadies will emit a pungent, chemical-like odour on capture.

​Habitat

These fish are generally solitary in Tasmania, unlike the mainland where they school in great numbers. Toadfish tend to prefer shallow sandy or muddy estuaries and are distributed all around Tasmania.

Fishing information

These fish are not usually targeted by recreational or commercial fishers, but are an unwanted bycatch species that take baits destined for other species. If small hooks are used, it is likely any capture of a toadie will result in gut hooking. In many cases, they will take a bait without the fisher being aware of having a bite.

Handling

There should be no reason to retain this fish at all as it is poisonous to eat.

Cooking

Poisonous. Do not eat.

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

What to report? arrow button

Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 1, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au