Facts: The Sea Toad (Coffinfish)

Sea toads are deep sea anglerfish in the family Chaunacidae. This family has 29 recognized species, with more species likely to be discovered in the future. Sea toads live at depths with little or no sunlight. They can be found inhabiting continental shelves and slopes in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, down to depths of at least 8000 feet. Sea toads have very loose skin and small spine-like scales. They are often red or pink in color. Their mouth is large and full of small sharp teeth. They are ambush predators that tend to remain motionless until prey is close enough for them to strike. Food can be scarce in the so they tend to eat whatever prey swims by, like fish or octopus. In order to attract prey, sea toads have a luring apparatus on their head that acts as bait to draw prey toward them. Their lure is actually a modified ray of their dorsal fin. Their gill openings are located behind their pectoral fins. Sea toads can inflate their gill chambers and increase their body volume by 30%. These massive gill chambers allow them to take in more oxygen and hold their breath for up to 4 minutes. This could be a way to save energy in a food scarce environment. Sea toads often sit propped up on their pectoral and pelvic fins. They also use these fins for walking across the seafloor. They are capable of swimming with the use of their caudal fin. These fish are generally less than 12 inches long. For more marine facts, click the SUBSCRIBE button!!