Batrachoididae

Batrachoididae is a family of ray-finned fishes commonly called toadfishes. Its members live mainly in marine and estuarine waters and are known for broad heads and stout bodies.

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Ray-finned fish: Ray-finned fishes are vertebrates whose fins are supported by bony or cartilaginous rays. Toadfishes belong to this enormous group of fishes.
Fish sound production: Fish sound production is the generation of sounds by fishes through specialized structures or body movements. Toadfish calls arise from rapid contractions of muscles associated with the swim bladder.
Auditory neuroscience: Auditory neuroscience studies the neural processing of sound and hearing. The plainfin midshipman is a model for studying how vertebrates detect and process sound.
Oyster toadfish: The oyster toadfish is a western Atlantic species that inhabits shallow coastal waters and estuaries. It exemplifies a toadfish adapted to oyster beds and other nearshore habitats.
Batrachoidiformes: Batrachoidiformes is the fish order that contains the family Batrachoididae. The family is the sole living family traditionally placed in this order.
Plainfin midshipman: The plainfin midshipman is a North Pacific toadfish known for its humming courtship calls. It is a well-studied example of toadfish sound production.
Bioacoustics: Bioacoustics studies sound production and hearing in animals. Toadfish calls help researchers investigate animal communication and acoustic signaling.
Atlantic midshipman: The Atlantic midshipman is a toadfish found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It illustrates the family’s distribution beyond the Pacific species often studied for calling.
Swim bladder: A swim bladder is a gas-filled organ that helps many bony fishes control buoyancy. Toadfishes use specialized muscles and swim bladders to produce sounds.
Camouflage: Camouflage is concealment through coloration, pattern, or form that reduces detection. Toadfishes often blend with bottom substrates while waiting for prey.