Thalassophryne montevidensis

Common Name

Uruguayan Toadfish

Year Described

Berg, 1893

Identification

Dorsal Fin: II, 18-19
Anal Fin: 17-18
Pectoral Fin: 15-17
Pelvic Fin: I, 2-3
Vertebrae: 7 precaudal, 19-20 caudal

Dorsal spines (2) hollow and venomous. Pectoral fins with no discrete, pored venom glands. Head large and dorso-ventrally flattened. Lateral line distinct. Eyes relatively small (but eyes further apart than T. nattereri).

Color

Body light brown with two irregular bars on the head and 4 irregular bars on the body. These bars break up into spots ventrally. Lighter interspaces with scattered dark brown spots. Fins unspotted but darkening distally to almost black. Caudal, pectoral, dorsal, and anal fins with thin white borders.

Size

Maximum size to 144mm SL.

Habitat

Coastal and benthic.

Range

Southeastern Brazil to Argentina.

References

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