Prickly toadfish
📖 Overview
Prickly toadfish (Contusus richei) is a ray-finned fish of the family Tetraodontidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 25.4 cm. It occurs at depths between 1 and 50 metres. With a trophic level of 3.4, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Prickly toadfish is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Prickly toadfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 1 - 50 m . Temperate Southwest Pacific: New Zealand (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Prickly toadfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Prickly toadfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Prickly toadfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Barred Toadfish · Globefish · prickly toadfish · Prickly Toado · Toado |
| 🏳️Catalan | Peix bola austral |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Baiacu-austral |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Колючий контус |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tetrodon richei | Fréminville | 1813 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
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