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🌊 Marine Least Concern ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Poisonous to eat 🌡️ Tropical

Silver-cheeked toadfish

Lagocephalus sceleratus Gmelin, 1789
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Max Length
110 cm
Max Weight
9.0 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.7
Depth
18–100 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
40.00/100
Typical Length
40 cm
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Inhabits offshore reefs . Sandy bottom . Caught by trammel net . This species contains tetrodotoxin which may be a source for food poisoning and the Israel Poison Information center registered 13 cases in December 2008 where all were related to the consumption of this fish .

Scientific Name
Lagocephalus sceleratus
Authority
Gmelin, 1789
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
110 cm
Max Weight
9 kg
Depth Range
18–100 m
Latitude
40°S – 40°N
Trophic Level
3.7
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
40.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8 - 12. Greenish with brown or black spots above; silver band from mouth to caudal fin; belly white; silver blotch in front of eye; pectoral base black .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Silver-cheeked toadfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Size at Maturity
43.3cm TL

Oviparous .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 18 - 100 m . Tropical; 40°N - 40°S, 16°E - 124°W West Pacific (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.7±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01318 × L2.87 (TL)
Max TL
110cm
Max Weight
9,000g
Dorsal Rays
12
Anal Rays
10

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2011

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
40.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.7
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
40°N – 40°S
Described By
Gmelin, 1789

⚠️ Venom Profile

Medical Warning: This species is venomous. Seek immediate medical attention if envenomated. Contact emergency services and follow first aid guidance below.
Venom Type
proteinaceous neurotoxin
Delivery
dorsal, anal, and pelvic fin spines
Potency
Severe
Mortality Risk
Low
Symptom Onset
5min
Duration
24.0hrs
Antivenom
✗ Not Available
Named Toxins
high-molecular-weight protein (Stonustoxin analogue) acetylcholine
Symptoms
  • immediate intense pain
  • swelling
  • erythema
  • occasional nausea and weakness
Affected Body Systems
peripheral nervous system cardiovascular
First Aid
Immerse affected area in hot water (45 C, tolerable) for 30-90 minutes to denature toxin. Do not apply ice.
Medical Treatment

Analgesia; wound care; tetanus prophylaxis; severe cases may require monitoring for systemic effects.

References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 12 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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