The oyster toadfish or oyster toad is a common catch in estuaries and nearshore area. As its name implies, this odd looking fish is often found among oyster beds and other bottom structure.
Oyster toads have extremely strong jaws and specialized teeth for crushing shells. They should be handled carefully when removing hooks as they are capable of inflicting ferocious bites. Anglers often find that a dehooking tool works well to remove hooks from these pesky fish.
Despite their monsterous appearance, slimy skin, and crushing bites, oyster toadfish are edible. Some anglers remove the head and skin to harvest thick fillets of white meat.
The oyster toadfish is sometimes confused with another bait-stealer, the swelling toad (northern puffer).
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