Thalassophryne amazonica

Common Name

Amazonian Toadfish

Year Described

Steindachner, 1876

Identification

Dorsal Fin: II, 19-21
Anal Fin: 18-19
Pectoral Fin: 14-15
Pelvic Fin: I, 2-3
Vertebrae: 7 precaudal, 20-21 caudal

Dorsal spines (2) hollow and venomous. Pectoral fins with no discrete, pored venom glands. Head large and dorso-ventrally flattened. Dorsal and anal fins contiguous with tail. Lateral line absent. Eyes small.

Color

Body light brown with several irregular dark brown body bars. Head with irregular mottling overlaid by dense brown spotting. Dark bars with light brown spotting. Belly becoming paler with pattern breaking up into spots. Fins peppered with variably sized brown spots.

Size

Maximum size to 93mm SL.

Habitat

A freshwater species found in rivers. Benthic

Range

South America: Amazonian basin of Brazil and Peru.

References

Collette, B.B. 1966. A review of the venomous toadfishes, subfamily Thalassophryninae. Copeia 1966(4): 846-864.

Other Notes

Included as it is closely related to marine members of the genus.